How To Write a Veterinary Technician Resume

To write a compelling veterinary technician resume, feature your experience treating animals and knowledge of veterinary care on your resume. The nurses of the animal world, these technicians support veterinarians during everything from routine care exams to operations. Learn how to present your skills and experience so you can take the next step in your career path.

  • Entry-Level
  • Mid-Career
  • Senior-Level
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1. Write a brief summary of your veterinary technician qualifications

The profile is a short summary of your resume that gives hiring managers an immediate idea of whether you fit the position. It’s also a great opportunity to fit in keywords and must-have qualifications from the job description. Include a few common procedures you’ve experienced, such as administering vaccines and doing nail trims, and note which species you have worked with. Most veterinary offices will be looking for techs who work with cats and dogs, but previous experience with small animals like rabbits or amphibians can make you a more attractive candidate.

Senior-Level Profile Example


A veterinary technician with 10+ years of professional experience delivering quality care to patients in high-volume animal hospitals. A proven track record of supporting surgical procedures and driving process improvement initiatives to improve outcomes. Adept at providing education to pet owners on treatments and medical outlook to enhance the quality of life for patients.

Entry-Level Profile Example


A Veterinary Technician with entry-level experience specializing in veterinary medicine, vaccine administration, empathetic care, and communication. A proven track record of providing quality care for large and small-sized breeds. Adept at collaborating with medical teams to identify appropriate treatments for patients based on symptoms.

2. Create a powerful list of your veterinary technician experience

Being a veterinary technician is about supporting veterinarians and providing the best possible care to your animal patients. The professional experience section of your resume should focus on all the tasks you can handle so the veterinarian can provide primary care.

Consider dedicating each bullet to a particular type of care. For example, one bullet might highlight pre-surgical tasks, such as administering IVs, shaving and prepping the surgical site, and monitoring patient vital signs. Another might discuss your responsibilities in educating pet owners on their pet’s conditions and ongoing care needs.

Senior-Level Professional Experience Example


Veterinary Technician, Austin Animal Hospital, Austin, TX

May 2016 – Present

  • Support veterinarians during a variety of complex surgical procedures, including ACL repairs, sterilizations, abscess removals, stomach surgeries, and dental procedures
  • Educate pet owners on long-term medical outlook, treatment risks, and patient quality of life to aid clients in making difficult medical decisions
  • Manage electronic medical records (EHR), create documentation of patient medical history, and record weight and vital signs for new patients
  • Provide training to seven veterinary technicians on hospital operations, procedures, equipment maintenance, and patient care standards during onboarding

Entry-Level Professional Experience Example


Veterinary Technician, Pittsburgh Animal Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA

May 2021 – Present

  • Gather patient medical history, create documentation, monitor symptoms, administer anesthesia, and support the development of treatment plans
  • Insert catheters and IVs, monitor patient vitals, and administer medication based on direction from the veterinary doctor
  • Perform dental cleanings, phlebotomy, and radiographs for patients
  • Conduct pre and post-surgical monitoring of patients and evaluate reaction to treatment plans, anesthesia, and medication

3. Include your veterinary technician education and certifications

Being a veterinary technician requires in-depth knowledge of small animal anatomy and physiology and an understanding of what medications are prescribed for what conditions. An associate degree is usually the minimum required education level for a vet tech, but large practices or other organizations like zoos may be looking for candidates with a bachelor’s degree.

In addition to a degree, most states require veterinary technicians to be licensed. List your license number beside your education for easy reference. Also list any advanced specialties, such as Veterinary Nurse Specialist, here.

Education

Template

  • [Degree Name]
  • [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]

Example

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Veterinary Technology
  • Austin University, Austin, TX | 2011

Certifications

Template

  • [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]

Example

  • Licensed Veterinary Technician, State of Texas | 2011

4. Include a list of your veterinary technician skills and proficiencies

The hiring manager should have a good understanding of your skills and strengths after reading your resume. One way to ensure this information is easy to find is to use a bulleted skills list. Skim the job description to find relevant required skills and qualifications and add these to your resume.

Skills can be medical proficiencies, such as dental cleanings or catheter placement, or they can be soft skills, such as communicating with pet owners and providing empathetic care. Below is a list of commonly requested skills you can use on your resume.

Key Skills and Proficiencies
Anesthesia Animal care
Animal hospital Animal welfare
Catheter placement Communication
Dental procedures Inventory management
IVs Laboratory testing
Medication administration Patient care
Patient discharge Patient intake
Phlebotomy Radiology
Surgical preparation Surgical support
Symptoms monitoring Treatment plans
Vaccine administration Veterinary medicine

How To Pick the Best Veterinary Technician Resume Template

The design you choose for your veterinary technician resume matters. A strong template can help speed up the resume creation process and increase your chances of landing the interview. Use clear fonts and stick to a white background and black lettering. Avoid flashy colors, bulky graphics, and other visual elements that may distract from your content. Keeping your resume skimmable with headers and bullets shows a hiring manager you can create organized Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan (SOAP) notes and treatment plans as well.

Veterinary Technician Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

  • Entry-level
  • Mid-career
  • Senior-level

Lori Johnson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Chicago, IL 12345

Profile

A veterinary technician with five years of professional experience specializing in animal welfare, patient care, treatment planning, and medical triage. A strong history of managing and optimizing hospital operations to enhance patient outcomes and treatment. Adept at communicating with owners and providing support during critical medical situations.

Professional Experience

Veterinary Technician, Animal Hospital of North Chicago, Chicago, IL
May 2018 – Present

  • Provide support to veterinary teams for the delivery of high-quality patient care, identify opportunities to improve hospital operations and patient flow, resulting in a 15% increase in operational efficiency for a 24/7 emergency animal hospital with 50+ patients
  • Educate clients on patient treatments, medical conditions, and healthcare risks and provide emotional and medical support
  • Assist veterinarians during surgical procedures, including neutering, wound care, anesthesia administration, and post-surgical monitoring

Veterinary Technician, Center City Animal Hospital, Chicago, IL
May 2016 – May 2018

  • Administered vaccines and medications to patients in accordance with veterinarian treatment plans and created documentation on reactions and symptoms
  • Gathered urine, stool, and specimens, performed laboratory testing on samples, and delivered findings to the veterinarian to support treatment identification
  • Maintained medical and laboratory equipment, sanitized and organized operating rooms, and ensured compliance with OSHA safety regulations

Education

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Veterinary Technology
University of Chicago, Chicago, IL September 2012 – May 2016

Key Skills

  • Veterinary Care
  • Process Improvement
  • Surgical Support
  • Patient Triage
  • Treatment Plans

Certifications

  • Licensed Veterinary Technician, State of Illinois, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions: Veterinary Technician Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for veterinary technician resumes?-

Action verbs help communicate your job duties and responsibilities in a more engaging manner. They also mirror the language of the job description to help you get past applicant tracking systems (ATS). If the description uses words like “administer,” “monitor,” and “educate” in the job duties, adding these action verbs to your resume identifies you as a good match.

Each bullet on your resume should start with a unique verb that accurately expresses what you accomplished in your previous roles. Use some of the options below if you run out of words:

Action Verbs
Administered Assisted
Collaborated Educated
Evaluated Instructed
Monitored Operated
Organized Prepared
Provided Recorded
Rehabilitated Scheduled
Supervised Supported
Treated Verified
How do you align your resume with a job description?-

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that job openings for veterinary technologists are expected to grow by 21% through 2032, which is much faster than average. Take advantage of this growth and find your dream position by aligning your resume to the job description.

Taking a few minutes to tweak your resume can help you stand out from other applicants who all have the same basic qualifications and skills. For example, if you’re applying for a vet tech job at an animal conservation center, emphasize your experience with exotic animals and rehabilitation.

What is the best veterinary technician resume format?-

The more experience you have as a vet tech, the more attractive you are to a hiring manager. A reverse chronological resume format is typically the best way to highlight your work history. It places your most recent and relevant experience towards the top of your document while also demonstrating your career progression.

Starting as a receptionist at a veterinary office and moving on to a vet tech position shows a hiring manager you’re dedicated to the field and have worked extensively in clinics. New graduates can still benefit from this format by listing experiences such as volunteer positions and internships.

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Expert Advice
Include a cover letter with your resume
A cover letter you can customize to each position can give you more room to explain why you’re a good candidate for the job and how you can benefit the employer. Cover letters should be no more than one page long and start with the most persuasive information at the beginning. Look at some of our examples of veterinary receptionist cover letters to get some ideas.
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Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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