How to Become a Vet Tech in PA
A veterinary technician (or vet tech) acts like the nurse in a vet hospital. They take care a lot of basic health care activities like giving injections, dressing wounds, collect urine, stool, blood or skin scraping specimens and reading x-rays. It is a very exciting, challenging career for anyone wanting to work in the growing pet health universe. Pennsylvania has some of the best veterinary practices in the world and has high standards for vet techs.
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Things You'll Need
- High school diploma or GED
- Associate college degree (optional for some vet tech college programs)
- Two year Associate or four year bachelor degree
- Renewal licence fee every two years
- 16 hours of continuing education every two years
Instructions
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Get a High School diploma or GED.
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Volunteer at a local animal shelter or ask a local vet if you can perform light duties, including kennel cleaning, filing and other odd jobs.
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Begin checking out college financial aid options with your bank, PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency) and scholarships at specific colleges. PHEAA can often find summer jobs in your area for you.
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Check a Veterinary Techology programs in your area. Although everyone wants to get into the prestigious University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, not all do. You can raise your chances of beginning an education in your chosen field by obtaining a community college degree and then transfering those credits to the University of Pennsylvania at a later time.
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Get a two to four-year Veterinary Technology degree from a PA accredited college or university. Check that the school is accredited with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). You may obtain an Associate degree in another field, but you are still required to complete a Veterinary Technology program.
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Fulfil your hands-on coursework. This is called a "preceptorship" and your college or university will outline the process for setting up work experience. You will need to demonstrate an ability to take direction and handle needles, instruments and medicines.
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Start networking among teachers, local vets and animal shelters. Use contacts to find out about jobs and preceptorships not advertised in classifieds.
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Go to the BPOA: Licensure Information website (listed in Resources below) to find out when and where the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) can be taken. The location and times change frequently, so you will want to check beforehand. Keep in mind that this exam is usually offered only a few times a year. You can take it as many times as necessary.
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Pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).
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Apply for the PA state vet tech licence after getting your VTNE scores and degree.
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Renew your licence every two years. There is currently a $75 dollar renewal fee.
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Renew your license with at least sixteen hours of continued education, every two years. These are often seminars and lectures, but there are also legitimate online courses PA will accept (as long as it's listed on the NAVTA website). You don't have to stick with classes in your immediate field of knowledge. You can go into areas of alternative or holistic care and speciailty areas like veterinary dentistry.
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Send proof of attendance certificate to BPOA. Sometimes they will want this with the license renewal fee and sometimes not.
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Tips & Warnings
Although it's never too late to become a vet tech in Pennsylvania, it's best to start as early as possible.
If you are in another state and need to prove that you have your PA state vet tech license, you must send $15 and a character reference letter from a PA licened veterinarian to the PA Board Office.
Consider working for a large animal practice and not just small animals. Pennsylvania now gives big finncial incentives for this area, since more students are going into small animal practice and not treating livestock.
Don't assume that your vet tech credentials earned in another state will qualify you for work in Pennsylvania.
Never assume a vet tech degree earned entirely online will be legitimate. You need hands-on training under the guidance of a licened veterinarian. Only continuing vet tech classes can be earned entirely online.
