Schools to Attend to Become a Veterinary Technician

Animal lovers take note---the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the demand for veterinary technicians, or vet techs, to explode by 41 percent within the next seven years. Perhaps your heart melts when you spot a little ball of fluff, or you get the most satisfaction from lending a helping hand. If you love to nurture animals, becoming a veterinary technician may be the right fit for you. And with 160 vet tech programs across the country, you should have no problem getting into the field.

Duties

The responsibilities of a veterinary technician are similar to those of a nurse---except the patient is an animal rather than a human. As a technician, you may deal with patient records, assist the veterinarian with surgeries or other procedures, or counsel pet owners. Vet techs are supervised by the veterinarian, but cannot diagnose illness or prescribe medications.

Degree Programs

The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends attending a school with an accredited degree program. There are accredited programs at colleges in 45 states. The five states without such programs are Rhode Island, Montana, Hawaii, Alaska and Arkansas. The majority of programs lead to an associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree in veterinary technology. In all, 20 schools offer four-year degree programs for vet techs. A four-year program leads to a bachelor of science degree in veterinary technology.

Distance Education

Nine colleges offer degree programs that can be obtained online. To take this path you need a reliable computer and internet access. Though clinical practice is required to complete the program, most skills can be acquired in the clinical setting where you work. Schools with distance learning technician programs are located in New Mexico, Indiana, Florida, Arizona, Virginia, Wisconsin, Arizona and Texas.

Coursework

Veterinary-technology students complete a variety of training, including radiology, zoology, dentistry and anatomy and learning the terminology of the field. Students are involved in hands-on learning, known as a preceptorship, working with live animals in a clinical setting. Students also complete general education courses, such as English and science. If you complete the extra coursework required to get a B.S. degree, you can look forward to a higher salary to compensate you for your efforts.

Careers

You are not limited to working in a veterinarian's office if you hold a degree in veterinary technology. According to the AVMA, the field is quickly growing and demand is increasing for jobs in such areas as biomedical research. Colleges and universities, zoos and the military are also seeking veterinary technicians. Related service areas such as animal control, supply sales and manufacturing also call for the skills you may acquire as a technician.

References

• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Jefferson State Community College
• Bureau of Labor Statistics