Tech Pay???? Is it this bad everywhere?(loveukaykay)

Well, today didnt go so well.  I talked to one of the doctors who seemed kind of strange.  He asked all about what I knew how to do and seemed surprised at it all.  He kept asking other things I didnt say and the answer was yes I can do that too.  So I ask about pay and he says "I really dont like to discuss that at this stage.."  Weeeellllll I kinda NEED to know before *I* waste my time!  I did get out of him that he wouldnt start me out at what Im making now, but if I proved I was worth it he would get me to that point.  SOOO frustrating!  I just said look, you know, to be honest thats what I was told at the place Im at now and 9 months later I have more than proven I deserve more and havnt gotten it, I really cant see myself starting this game all over again but at less!  And he said "Well you have to understand that a lot of poeple claim to be able to do things but after you hire them they really cant".  So, I said well test me.  He said well talk about it later and blah blah blah about the ecomony.  Goes on to tell me that I will have to buy my uniforms upon hire at my own expense (scrubs with their logo and color).  (I own a hefty investment of scrubs since I can wear whatever I want as long as its scrubs and that was a major deal for me!!!  I already own 1000 pairs that I bought!).  So anyway, I asked about benefits... no, no insurance no nothing.  On to tell me I will work every Saturday.   Right now I work every other Saturday, which is fine.  I really dont want to work every freggin Saturday.  Anyway e said hed call me but I know Im going to tell him Im not interested if he does.  Im so surprised at this.

Honestly, makes me think where Im at is not that bad... other than TOTALLY being taken advantage of.  So I went back to work today and told the owner I needed to talk to her.  After we closed I stayed and told her all my issues and we were able to talk a little of it out.  I basically told her I need help around there and if she doesnt want to hire anyone else than she herself needs to help, and if she helps I dont need to feel bad for it or get attitude for it and on  and on the conversation went.  I guess my only option is to make due while I have to and make the best of it, while I keep my eyes open, but it doesnt look good.

You know, I love my job, I LOOOOVE being around these animals everyday and I know I could probably go get more pay somewhere else (doing something else) but I would be miserable in that too becasue I would miss this.  Its very conflicting.

 Oh darn it....I looked up some stats and you know, the average hourly salary for a licensed tech seems to be $12 to $15 /hr. Do you think it could be the specific geographic area you are working in?

Shoot I was hopeing they would make you a deal you are worthy of. Well maybe if the Vet at your work starts helping out she will realize you are worth more than what they are paying you. Good luck and I hope things get better for you.

hmm... are you state certified? I know that makes a HUGE difference down here... I'm not certified - and I work in non-profit, so I can't really comment on salary range down here, but I know I'm at the lower end of the scale.

Minimum wage in Oregon is 8.40/hr, so you would make more flipping burgers and delivering pizza than working at a job you love!  Heck, my DS#1 was making 8.50/hr as a BOX BOY!

I hope they see you need more than the bare minimum to live on.  As for the vet with the champagne taste, she needs to be more discreet when it comes to flaunting her "We have it, you DON'T" attitude (even if it IS unintentional).

Ugh--that's too bad. I can't believe how little money there is for vet techs! They truly are the backbone of clinics that often don't seem to even have enough vets to care for all of the patients. I know the vet techs at my clinic are my go-to people first.

Oh I'm sorry. I do think with the economy being so bad, it's going to be hard for all of us to land good jobs, hang onto the ones we have, and to see the pay increases we deserve.  (No, I'm not a vet tech.)

 That really bites :( To me, the quality of the techs is nearly as important to me as the quality of the vets themselves when I'm chosing a clinic. I can't comment on their capability with medical procedures, but it is *extremely* important to me to have staff that can sensitively interact with Rascal and be efficient with him without terrifying him. I'm sure I'm not the only one! Having good techs is extremely important to the success of a vet clinic... best wishes to you, I hope things turn around and you find something where you are getting compensated for what you're worth!

Health benefits seem like the very least you deserve... 

 I work as a tech, though I'm not certified or anything, so I obviously wouldn't get paid as much as those who are (although that apparently isn't much more than I'm getting paid).  I'm paid minimum wage and have been working there for 2 years (started out as just kennel worker and then they found out a knew something and was great with animals so they moved me up in technician work and just taught me as we went along).  I'm not too upset about it because I'm only part time (the rest of the time I'm either attending classes or working at the Humane Society) and I'm pretty thrilled at still having a job.  My whole family has been hit pretty hard lately.  My dad, aunt, and grandfathers (2 of them) have all lost their jobs.  I know I deserve a raise for several reasons (I've been there for a long time, have only had 2 sick days in the 2 years I've worked there, am always on time and ready to work, and often stay much later than we were scheduled), but I feel lucky to even still have the job so I'm not too worried about it.  I understand how you feel though.  It's hard not being able to get/do the things you want because you have to pay bills instead, but I'm sure something will eventually work out for you.     

Techs here make about $15/hr, VA's make $10.  If you are licensed in your state, maybe you could get specialized and earn more by adding a service at your clinic (or a more progressive one):

http://www.svbt.org/

I do think you are in a geographical area that is not the highest paid, but consider that in view of overall living expenses, which, up here, are quite high.  If you are in an area where it would fly, consider saving up and opening a dog day care.  Too many of them have owners that know nothing.  At least you have animal handling skills:-)  More money in that, provided the local economy would support it.  You could add retail, too.  The first businesses in our area that touted high end foods and products are still in business.  Go see someone at SCORE or http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/onlinewbc/index.html

Get entrepreneurial!

spiritdogs

If you are in an area where it would fly, consider saving up and opening a dog day care.  Too many of them have owners that know nothing.  At least you have animal handling skills:-) 

Ain't that the truth!!!!

I took Rascal for a temperament eval at a place around here and talked to the owner for a solid 20 minutes beforehand, warning of his nervous temperament and his history of biting people when frightened. When I brought him in for the eval, I again warned them that he could get snappy and has been known to bite people before.

So what does the owner do upon meeting him? Grabs him and holds him up to her FACE for "kisses"!!

She swooped in on him so fast I didn't have time to say anything, and fortunately I think Rascal was so surprised too that he didn't even have time to be frightened. Thank goodness nothing catastrophic came from that. Utterly terrifying!!!!!! I of course packed up the dog and headed straight for the door, but man... so many of these people are SO clueless it's mind-boggling.

You might want to look into specialty clinics.  I worked in a clinic for a while.  The clinic where I worked had two GP's, an orthopod, a radiologist, & a dermatologist.  Techs who worked for the GP's were paid much less, than those of us who worked for the specialists.

whtsthfrequency

9.50/hr is definitely on the low end. 7.00/hr is outrageous, that's what you pay the kennel staff and the assistants, not the techs.

Not knowing about the vet tech world, I would have to agree with that. Around here, 7/hr is what the temp guys that sweep the floors are making. Most times, these days, helpers don't start at less than $10/hr. Then again, in my industry, work is contractual based upon bids. As opposed to the flat rats of pet medical care.

loveukaykay

Honestly, makes me think where Im at is not that bad... other than TOTALLY being taken advantage of.  So I went back to work today and told the owner I needed to talk to her. 

And that's a good point, too. Having a job and keeping it, right now, are golden. And yeah, it sounds like your surrounded by people playing games in their own heads but as long as you keep getting that paper that says "pay to the order of Amy x amount of dollars" it can all be dealt with. I started doing electrical work in 1983 and I have a master license. And the other day, they paid me to sweep the floors. And I will dig a hole in the ground, too, if they want me to do so. Just keep giving me a paycheck. Are those things the full use of my abilities and knowledge? Of course not. But I get paid the same whether I sweep or direct a team of others in a project so, there's less stress sweeping for the same money.

Sorry I havnt been back recently, my computer is worthless now, OT but after downloading MP3 Rocket for $15 or whatever to get music for my IPOD I cant even turn the thing on.  So DONT download that!

Spiritdogs - I love that idea, its always in the back of my mind how I can use the contacts Ive made to my advantage in the future.  The only store around here that sells  the Innova and Wellness and all that is the ONLY one and does extremely well... they just added a whole section of homeopathic serums and vials and stuff... so I do see the possibility for some sort of retail in that area.

I totally agree that the techs matter alot! Im not a very talkative tech, but Im friendly and I do talk when needed or when the owner talks to me.  Other than that I focus on what Im doing.  I've only been bit once and I was alone with the animal, the vets Ive worked with have never gotten bit and believe me I've saved them from quite a few attempts.  I know trust matters, with that and with looking at fecals and slides.... to know they dont have to constantly check over you... to just trust that you saw nothing or what you say you saw is what it is.  To be able to know that in an emergency they can yell out commands for you and you can do it and know how. 

No, Im not certified.  When I was hired I had every intention of starting tech school and Im sure at some point I stll will, but at this particular place... they wouldnt hire someone who was certified.  She didnt really WANT me to go to tech school.  After talking with the other Dr there that I love she said from what she knows most places around here wont hire certified techs so they dont have to pay them what they deserve.  Again, I will get certified and look into being a tech at the college or some large lab or something.

Ive been taught everything along the way and am so thanful for all I know how to do now.  I do think Im really really good with the animals and from what I know most owners love me.   There are the few weird ones that get mad at me for scruffing their cat or whatever for vaccines.  Well!!!  Im NOT scruffing them harder than I need to... like I would a cat that I was sure was going to be a problem but I HAVE to scruff it because if it turns around and bites the vet then I look bad...  But other than those people that just dont like ANYONE fooling with their animals I know they like me.  The animals seem to respond well to me rather than some of the other girls.... I think its my energy along with being gentle but effective. 

You know, the other night we were closing and someone called screaming that she just saw a dog get hit on the highway right in front of our office and that it was in the ditch.  Some lady ran in and I grabbed a muzzle and a leash and went with her to get it.  I got back and OMG did I STINK after carrying this giant yellow lab.  It had that smell... thats always on dogs that get hit... its a very distinct smell and Ive smelled it a few times.  Anyway... ran around grabbing an IV, a bag of fluids, Torb, Dex... everything I knew I needed to stop shock and we treated him.  The next day some lady called wondering if by any chance someone had brought in her dog.  She cried her eyes out and thanked us and all when she came in.... this dog had no chip and no collar.... and I cant tell you how good that feels.  I guess sometimes I just dont care how much I make.  Although after a lot of thinking Im hoping that sticking this out will profit me in the long run when things do get better and they can give me a raise. 

And then there are the ones we lose... but we try, and that still feels good.  I always cry though, Im the cryer and they all know it.  The doctor that I love there usally cries but usually only because she sees me, then cant hold it.  Im rambling... but there are a lot of things I like about it... and I will wait and see what happens... I just cant see myself doing anything else.

Hugs, Amy!  We all think you deserve the best.  Extra kuddos for running out and working to save that Lab the other night.  I'm sure it's one incident among many, but I'm glad you recognize that not everyone has both the desire AND the skills to do what you do... you do, and that's why you should be valued appropriately.