Vet Tech

This isn't going to go over well with the RVT's on the board, but when I interview techs straight out of school I am not normally impressed with there practical skills. They all have a lot of theory knowledge, but there practical skills seem very limited.  I want a tech that can walk in the door and draw blood, place a catheter, restrain properly, etc.  We do a working interview before we hire, and consistently RVT's straight out of school are blowing veins and making mistakes.  They really don't have the ractical expertise I would expect after two years of school.
 
Before you go to Vet Tech school I would get a job as a Vet Assistant.  You will learn a lot of the practical skills that will help in school, and you can determine if this is something you really want to do.  It can be a really rough job.  Euthanizing pets, handling emergencies, dealing with owners, low level of professionalism in the environment, etc. 
 
There are lots of positives to the work as well, but make sure you can handle the negatives. 
 
As an example, a vet tech a a local hospital was doing dental on a perfectly healthy cat, and when it was waking up, the cat died.  That is rough when you sit down to do simple dental and a pet passes away.  Not everyone can handle that...and it happens...
 
 

Thank you Mic!
To make sure I understand this correctly.... should I just go ahead and apply at local vet clinics for a vet assistant position? Would they employ or hire somebody for training?
I am very much a "hands on" person - learning by doing - so that would be fantastic!
I know that this won't be easy but I really like the thought of doing something that actually "matters"!

Just put together a great looking resume.  Fill out an app at every vet hospital in your city, and you'll get called in on some interviews.  Focus on being well spoken, positive and professional.  I don't know a single vet that isn't trying to improve the level of professionalism among his staff as far as how they interact with each other. 
 
At most hospitals you will have to start at reception and work your way to the back (however some may let you start as kennel help).  I think starting at reception is great! You get to meet the clients, and you get first hand experience at how difficult the front of house job is.  I find that employees that have never had to work reception quickly get frustrated with the receptionist.  It gives you some perspective.
 
At first you will be doing a lot of cleaning (mopping, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning cages), filing, inputing info, transcription, restraining animals, etc.  Over the course of a year or so you will be offered opportunities to do more interesting tasks like participating in surgery, being on appointments, etc.
 
After you have done this for a while I would start going to tech school part time so you can actually utilize the new skills you learn while you are learning them.  I believe you will retain them much more successfully. 

Nadine-There is no schooling here for vet techs, only on the job experience.  And, Mic is right, it's a catch 22, the vets hiring want experience but you can't get a job unless you have experience.  Very frustrating. 

However, I did work as a vet tech, helped with surgeries, anesthesia, recovery, took x-rays.  I learned a lot and it was quite interesting especially when working with a doctor who liked to explain what he was doing during a surgery. 

On the other hand, I also worked 12 hour days, seven days a week sometimes, I cleaned up poop and vomit out of crates which isn't fun, it's such a tight space as it is and sometimes the crates were on the ground, so I was on hands and knees cleaning.  I had to feed also and sometimes had to stick my hands in with some not so nice animals.  I had to lift at least 50 lbs helping with exams. 

It's fun but it's work especially after many hours.  And you have to be able to be patient with the owners.  We often had the staffs pets around to help with the mood around the office. 

However, it sounds like it would be suited to you as you are a worker and like to move around.  It's definately not for a lazy person. 

PS-- Also, wanted to add, it doesn't pay well.  But, that could be just in this area. 

Average pay for a Registered Vet Tech in our area is about $16.50 per hour.  Unregistered Techs average about $12.00 per hour around here.

Thanks everybody !
Applying at a few different places sounds like a good plan. I will work on a resume in the next couple of weeks.
I am not afraid to get dirty, I like the feeling of actually achieving something in my work day... cleaning poop and vomit, well we want to have kids some day too, could be good practice ?!?!
Actually 12 Dollars an hour sounds pretty good to me right now, which is another reason I'm looking for a different job!