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A veterinary technician is a professional who provides animal healthcare services. They work alongside veterinarians to provide medical care for animals. Find out what education you need to become a vet tech.
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The Different Types of Veterinary Technician Programs
Veterinary technicians have a wide range of responsibilities, from providing direct patient care to performing diagnostic tests and assisting in surgery. Because of the wide range of responsibilities, there are several different types of veterinary technician programs that you can choose from. Some programs may focus more on clinical work, while others may focus more on research.
Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology
An Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology is a two-year degree that prepare students for a career as a veterinary technician. In order to become licensed, veterinary technicians must pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). The VTNE is a three-part examination that covers clinical skills, medical knowledge, and general aptitude.
Vet techs with an Associate’s Degree typically find entry-level positions working in private veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and research laboratories. They may also find work in zoos, aquariums, wildlife sanctuaries, and other animal care facilities. Generally speaking, the more experience a vet tech has, the greater their chance of securing a position in a prestigious organization or facility.
Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Technology
Bachelor’s degree programs in veterinary technology typically take four years to complete and include classroom, laboratory and clinical components. These programs prepare students to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), which all states use to license vet techs, and to become registered veterinary technicians (RVTs).
Bachelor’s degree programs in veterinary technology include coursework in animal anatomy and physiology, animal husbandry, zoo animal management, nutrition, pharmacology and microbiology. Students also gain hands-on experience working with animals in a variety of settings, such as zoos, laboratories, shelters and private clinics.
Master’s Degree in Veterinary Technology
A master’s degree in veterinary technology is the highest level of education that a vet tech can achieve. This type of degree is usually only necessary if you want to become a veterinary technologist or teach at the collegiate level. While there are not many colleges that offer this type of degree, it is possible to find some online programs.
The Coursework of a Veterinary Technician Program
A typical vet tech program will offer a combination of classroom and hands-on learning experiences. In the classroom, you’ll take courses covering topics such as animal anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and pharmacology. You’ll also learn about animal husbandry, record keeping, and medical office procedures.
Classroom Learning
In a veterinary technician program, students learn through a combination of classroom lectures and laboratory work. They take courses in animal anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and nutrition. In addition, they learn about animal diseases and medical procedures. Many programs also include an externship component, in which students gain hands-on experience working in a veterinary clinic or hospital.
Clinical Learning
In order to be able to work in the field, future vet techs must first complete a course in clinical learning. This is where they will learn all about the different diseases and disorders that can affect animals, as well as how to properly diagnosis and treat them. They will also get plenty of hands-on experience working with animals in a professional setting.
The Certification of a Veterinary Technician
Veterinary technicians need to have a wide range of skills in order to be successful in their careers. They must be able to communicate effectively with both clients and co-workers, have excellent technical skills, and be able to think critically. In order to become a certified veterinary technician, one must first graduate from an accredited veterinary technology program.
The American Veterinary Medical Association
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is a not-for-profit association representing more than 89,000 veterinarians working in the United States and across the globe. The AVMA acts as a collective voice for its membership and is committed to advancing the veterinary profession and ensuring that veterinarians are recognized as an integral part of the team providing animal, human, and public health services.
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) is a professional organization for veterinary technicians. Founded in 1965, NAVTA currently represents more than 20,000 members in all 50 states and Washington D.C. who work in private practice, academia, industry, and government. The mission of NAVTA is “to provide leadership and promote excellence in the profession of veterinary technology.”
In order to become a certified veterinary technician (CVT), one must first graduate from an accredited veterinary technology program and pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). Once these two requirements are met, the individual can apply to their state’s regulatory Board for certification. Once certified, CVTs are required to complete continuing education (CE) credits on a regular basis to maintain their certification status. The NAVTA offers several CE programs and also provides guidance on meeting state CE requirements.
The Future of Veterinary Technician Programs
Vet techs are in demand and the future looks bright for those with the right education. The education of a vet tech has come a long way in recent years, andvet tech programs now offer a broad range of courses. The core curriculum for a vet tech program generally includes courses in animal anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, zoo animal care, and clinical lab procedures.
The Increasing Demand for Veterinary Technicians
As the pet population in the United States continues to grow, so does the demand for qualified veterinary technicians. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of vet techs will increase 19% from 2016 to 2026 — much faster than the average for all occupations.
This growing demand is due to a number of factors, including an aging population of pet owners and an increase in the incidence of chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes in pets. As people live longer and take better care of their pets, there is more need for preventative care and treatment of chronic conditions. In addition, as more people adopt pets, there is a greater demand for routine veterinary care such as vaccinations and spaying/neutering.
With this increased demand comes a need for more vet techs to provide these services. Currently, there are about 130 accredited veterinary technician programs in the United States, but this is not enough to meet the projected demand. Consequently, many schools are considering adding or expanding their veterinary technician programs
The Increasing Complexity of Veterinary Medicine
The profession of veterinary medicine is changing and evolving. Aided by significant advances in medical knowledge and technology, the role of the veterinarian has changed dramatically in recent years. Today’s veterinarians are expected to be knowledgeable about a wide range of topics, including animal husbandry, pharmacology, surgery, nutrition, and anatomy. They must also be able to effectively communicate with clients and other members of the animal health care team.
As the profession has become more complex, so too has the education required to become a practicing veterinarian. Veterinary technician programs have evolved to keep pace with the changing needs of the profession, and today’s vet techs are better prepared than ever before to support veterinarians in providing quality care for animals.
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of what education a vet tech needs, most programs now include coursework in subjects such as animal anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, clinical techniques, and nutrition. In addition, many programs now offer externship opportunities that allow students to gain real-world experience working alongside licensed veterinarians and other members of the animal health care team.
The increasing complexity of veterinary medicine is sure to lead to even more changes in veterinary technician programs in the years to come. Aspiring vet techs who are looking for a challenging and rewarding career can rest assured that there will be plenty of opportunities for them to get the education they need to succeed.
