Vet techs can work in many venues including private practice, agriculture, research, government and military venues.
A veterinary technician, or vet tech, is a licensed animal health care professional who works under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. A vet tech's education includes either an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in veterinary technology from an accredited college or university. In addition to traditional college campuses, the American Veterinary Medical Association, or AVMA, has accredited 9 colleges that allow students to achieve the necessary academic credentials entirely through distance learning. The required clinical practicum, however, must be accomplished in person. Lastly, the vet tech must pass her state's licensing examination.
College Coursework
An example of a typical associate degree program in veterinary technology is one offered by Alfred State College in New York. An Associate in Applied Science degree includes over 50 credits in veterinary technology science and animal husbandry as well as 17 credits in general education credits including English composition, math, business administration and laboratory science. Moraine Park Technical College in Wisconsin offers a similar program via online classes and also results in an Associate in Applied Science degree. At Becker College in Massachusetts, a vet tech student earns an associate degree first and can become a licensed vet tech while continuing her education and earning a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science. The additional coursework, experience and degree allow the vet tech greater responsibility and the ability to perform more functions in a veterinary office.
Clinical Practice
A hands-on clinical practice, alternately called a practicum, preceptorship or externship is required by all accredited colleges and state licensing boards as part of the education of a vet tech, according to the AVMA. Schools offer different formats for fulfilling this requirement. For example, at Alfred State College the 120-hour clinical practicum is scheduled for the summer between the second and third semesters for the 2010-2011 school year, while at Moraine Park Technical College clinical hours are scheduled concurrently with online coursework throughout the second, third and fourth terms.
Continuing Education
Each state determines renewal policy for its vet tech licenses. Some states, like Texas, require an annual renewal, with proof that the vet tech attended 5 clock-hours of continuing education credits. According to Allied Health World, Alabama also has an annual renewal but demands 20 hours of continuing education, while California has no continuing education requirement. Allied Health World shows that some states, like Alaska, renew vet tech licenses every two years and require that vet techs earn 10 clock-hours of continuing education credits over the two-year period.
Tags: associate degree, continuing education, education credits, veterinary technology, accredited colleges, Alfred State, Alfred State College
