Contents
How long are vet tech programs? The answer may surprise you.
Checkout this video:
What is a Vet Tech?
A vet tech is a person who helps veterinarians with animal care and treatment. They are also known as veterinary technicians. A vet tech program typically takes two years to complete, but there are some schools that offer four-year programs.
Job Description
vet techs are the equivalent of nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants in the human medical field. They work alongside veterinarians to provide quality patient care. A vet tech’s job duties include animal restraint, animal nursing care, laboratory procedures, diagnostic imaging and radiography, anesthesiology, surgical nursing and dentistry. In addition to working with animals, vet techs also interact with animal owners and help them to understand how to best care for their pets.
Vet techs must have a solid understanding of animal anatomy and physiology, as well as disease processes. They must be able to effectively communicate with both animals and their owners. In addition, vet techs must be capable of physically restraining animals during examination and treatment.
Salary
Most vet techs make between $20,000 and $40,000 per year. The median salary for a vet tech is $31,780 per year, which means that half of all vet techs make more than this amount while half make less. Vet techs in the top 10% of earners make more than $46,600 per year while those in the bottom 10% earn less than $20,700 annually.
How to become a Vet Tech
Vet tech programs typically last between two and four years, although some schools offer accelerated programs that can be completed in as little as 18 months. While most programs require at least some on-campus coursework, some schools offer entirely online programs.
Education and Training
In order to become a vet tech, you will need to complete an accredited veterinary technology program. These programs typically take two years to complete and offer an associate’s degree or certificate. During your course of study, you will take classes in subjects such as veterinary anatomy and physiology, animal nursing, pharmacology, and surgical assisting. You will also gain hands-on experience working with animals in a clinical setting. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), which is required to become a licensed vet tech in most states.
Associate’s Degree
An Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology is the most common educational path to becoming a Vet Tech. These programs typically take two years to complete, although some may be completed in as little as 18 months. Most Associate’s degree programs require students to complete general education courses in addition to their major coursework.
Bachelor’s Degree
The first step to becoming a vet tech is to get a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. While there are many schools that offer vet tech programs not all of them are accredited. To find an accredited school, you can search the American Veterinary Medical Association’s website or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs’ website.
After you have completed your bachelor’s degree, you will need to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). The VTNE is a multiple-choice exam that covers various topics such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and nutrition. Once you have passed the VTNE, you will be eligible to apply for licensure in your state.
Certification
There are two ways to become a certified veterinary technician. The first is to complete a two-year accredited veterinary technology associate degree program and pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). Alternatively, you can complete a four-year bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology. Once you have your degree, you will also need to pass the VTNE.
How long are Vet Tech programs?
Vet Tech programs typically range from two to four years in length, depending on the level of education you wish to achieve. two-year programs may be sufficient for those who wish to enter the workforce as soon as possible, while four-year programs may be better for those who wish to pursue further education or move into management positions.
Associate’s Degree
An Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology is the most common type of degree held by practicing veterinary technicians. This two-year degree can be obtained at many community colleges, technical schools, and some four-year colleges and universities.
Bachelor’s Degree
Vet tech programs usually last about four years, although some may be as short as two years or as long as five years. The majority of programs award a bachelor’s degree, although some schools may offer an associate’s degree or a certificate.
