Veterinary Technician
Job Description: Techs are responsible for the care of animals, as instructed by
veterinarians. They may restrain and handle animals during examinations, perform
lab work such as blood tests and urinalysis, and take and process x-rays. In addition,
veterinary techs assist veterinarians with surgical procedures by monitoring the
animal’s heart, pulse, blood pressure, and breathing while they are under
anesthesia.
Techs are also responsible for the daily health and welfare of animals while the
animals are under veterinary care. They may water, feed, and groom the animals
and monitor their recovery from surgery or illness. Veterinary techs are often the
front-line workers of animal care facilities. Through daily contact with the animals,
they play a crucial role in animals’ treatment and recovery. They also administer
medicines, change dressings, and prepare animals for surgery.
In addition, veterinary techs act as a link between busy veterinarians and worried
pet owners. They relay vital information on the care of sick and injured pets to their
owners. They educate owners on nutrition and medication for their pets, and may
be the first contact on the telephone in case of pet emergencies.
Many techs have additional administrative duties. For example, those who work in
research facilities are often responsible for monitoring animals during experiments.
Veterinary techs’ records and observations can be crucial to the outcomes of
experiments.
Salary: $26,000/year (starting) - $37,000 (experienced)
Growth: 21%+ in PA
Education Requirements: Start by taking senior-level courses in chemistry,
biology, and math in high school.
Veterinary techs must have post-secondary education in veterinary technology or
animal health technology. New techs generally have a 2-year associate degree or a
4-year bachelor’s degree. Graduates of 4-year programs often have a greater level of
responsibility on the job than 2-year graduates, and may earn a higher salary. These
graduates are sometimes referred to as veterinary technologists, while graduates of
2-year programs are called veterinary technicians.
It’s important to look for a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA). Students enrolled in accredited programs typically take a range
of courses related to the diagnosis, treatment, and care of both large and small
animals. All accredited programs also include a field placement, allowing students to
obtain on-the-job experience. See the Other Resources section for a link to the AVMA
website.
Most states require veterinary techs to be certified, registered, or licensed.
Candidates are typically required to complete an accredited vet tech program and
pass an exam.
Harcum College – www.harcum.edu
 Private, 2-year college
 Suburban setting in a large town (Bryn Mawr – Philadelphia suburb)
 1,425 undergraduate students
 Application deadline: Feb 15th
 Guaranteed on-campus housing for all undergraduate students
 SAT scores required, letter of recommendation, Algebra I and II, Biology, and
Chemistry completed during HS with grade of C or higher
 6 semesters
 AS Veterinary Technology: students are required to complete two 12-week
practica, as follows: one at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of
Pennsylvania, the University's small-animal hospital in Philadelphia and one
at New Bolton Center, the University's large-animal hospital near Kennett
Square, Pennsylvania. These practica involve approximately 40 hours per
week including weekend and evening duty.
 Animal center management option available
 Articulation agreements exist with 20 universities and colleges to continue
on to earn your 4-year degree
 Tuition: $19,500/year
Wilson College – www.wilson.edu
 Private, 4-year women’s college college
 Chambersburg, PA - suburban setting in a large town
 759 undergraduate students
 Application deadline: April 30th
 SAT: 980 – 1100 (median range, CR and math)
 BS: Veterinary Medical Technology with two concentration options:
o Veterinary Biology or Veterinary Business Management
 Tuition: $28,745/year
o Merit scholarships: Presidential (top 15% of class, 3.75 GPA or higher,
covers 50% of tuition), Dean’s (top 25%, 3.4-3.74 GPA, covers 35% of
tuition), or Faculty (top 50%, 3.0 – covers 25% tuition)
Lehigh Carbon Community College and Northampton County Community
College: www.lccc.edu
 Public, two-year college
 Schnecksville, PA – suburban setting in a small town
 7,000 undergraduate students
 A.A.S. Veterinary Technician
o Work jointly with Northampton Community College
o 4 semesters, two summer sessions
o http://www.lccc.edu/sites/www.lccc.edu/files/images/vet%20tech
%20admin.pdf
o Tuition: $5,640/year
Veterinary Tech Institute – www.vettechinstitute.edu
 Proprietary, technical, two-year school
 340 undergraduates
 Urban setting in a very large city
 Externship offered during last two months of program
 Associates degree in Specialized Technology (Veterinary Technician degree)
Other programs: Manor College, Sanford Brown, and Johnson College
Vet Tech Institute
Vet Tech Institute Program Overview
At the Pittsburgh Vet Tech Institute, you can earn your Associate in Specialized
Technology in Veterinary Technician degree (AST) in as little as 18 months (for
those attending full time).The program contains all elements required by the
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary
Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA).
While veterinary technicians do get to spend time cuddling and loving the animals in
their care, veterinary technicians are also an important part of the veterinary
medical team. As a Vet Tech Institute graduate, you’ll be prepared to assist
veterinarians to*:
Treat ill or injured animals by monitoring their clinical symptoms.
Prepare for and assist in surgery.
Administer, monitor, and maintain anesthesia during surgery.
Monitor animals recovering from surgery.
Perform laboratory tests by collecting and analyzing test specimens to assist the
veterinarian in diagnosing conditions.
Take and develop radiographics using x-ray equipment.
Fill medications and maintain a drug inventory and log book.
Perform injections, administer medications and vaccines, and run IVs
The last 2 months of your education are spent in an externship. This is an
opportunity to get real-life experience in an animal clinic, hospital, research facility,
or a farm animal practice.
As a Vet Tech Institute student, you'll take the following concentration courses:
CLINICAL MEDICINE I
This course focuses on recognition of different canine and feline breeds, dog laws,
concepts of canine and feline behavior, and vaccine types and protocols for both
canines and felines.
CLINICAL MEDICINE II
This course focuses on animal nutrition and presents detailed information on a
variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals emphasizing the role nutrition plays in
an animal's overall health.
ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY I
Through theory and practical application, this course teaches the student aspects of
kennel care and management. Additionally, basic grooming, restraint techniques,
common abbreviations, and physical exams are included.
ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY II
This course builds upon Animal Technology I with an emphasis on sample
collection. Instruction will cover sample collection of both urine and blood
specimens through various routes as well as giving injections through various
routes.
CLINICAL LABORATORY I
This course reviews basic laboratory equipment and glassware. The student is then
introduced to basic veterinary hematology with emphasis placed on normal test
values of individual animal species.
CLINICAL LABORATORY II
This course builds upon Clinical Laboratory I with a more in-depth study of
hematology. White blood cell components, blood transfusions, and morphology are
covered.
SURGICAL NURSING I
This course is designed to prepare the student to assist in all aspects of veterinary
surgery. Students are introduced to aseptic surgery techniques, surgical
instrumentation identification and use, patient preparation, positioning for various
surgical procedures, and common veterinary suture materials and patterns.
CLINICAL MEDICINE III
This course is an in-depth study of canine and feline diseases. Specifically students
will focus on pathology of disease, necropsy, viruses, bacteria, protozoa and vectorborne diseases, zoonosis, dermatology, and the endocrine system.
CLINICAL MEDICINE IV
This course is a continuation of Clinical Medicine III. Diseases of the reproductive
system, neurological system, musculoskeletal system, and cardio respiratory system
are presented.
ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY III
This course builds upon Animal Technology II and is focused on fecal equipment and
tests and parasitology.
ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY IV
This course focuses on more advanced techniques such as laboratory animal
research, including care and maintenance, disease process, blood collection
procedures, anesthesia administration, and regulatory requirements for rats, mice,
guinea pigs, rabbits, and ferrets.
CLINICAL LABORATORY III
This course builds upon Clinical Laboratory II, with emphasis placed on further
individual animal species testing to include: Felv/Fiv testing, brucellosis testing,
heartworm testing, urinalysis, and blood analyzers.
CLINICAL LABORATORY IV
This course builds upon Clinical Laboratory III. Students will learn the principles of
cytology, as well as types of testing for diseases. Students will also learn the
principles and perform basic microbiology techniques as well as collect, culture,
stain, identify, and perform sensitivity testing on bacterial specimens.
ANESTHESIA I
This course concerns all aspects of the anesthetic process, anesthetic agents used in
veterinary medicine and their effects, including the anesthetic equipment's
functions and use. The student will apply mathematical skills to practice dosage
calculations using common anesthetics. The veterinary technician's role in
relationship to the veterinarian is a key point of study.
ANESTHESIA II
This course provides a more in-depth approach to all phases of the administration
of anesthesia in both the pre- and post-operative phases of treatment as well as fluid
therapy, electrocardiograms, and dentistry.
ANIMAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I
This course concerns the structure and function of the animal body and its parts.
Instruction is geared toward tissues, skeletal system, nervous system, endocrine
system, and sense organs.
ANIMAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II
This course builds on Animal Anatomy & Physiology I. In this course the structure
and function of the circulatory, respiratory, gastrointestinal, excretory/renal,
reproductive, and integumentary systems are studied. Emphasis is placed on the
clinical use of anatomy and physiology in veterinary medicine.
CLINICAL MEDICINE V
This course is a continuation of Clinical Medicine IV. Diseases of the digestive
system and renal system will be discussed. The focus in the remainder of the course
is emergency management and the veterinary technician's role in emergency
situations. Emphasis is placed on the following topics: proper methods of evaluating
an animal in an emergency situation, how disease processes manifest as
emergencies, and the equipment and medications used during emergencies.
ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY V
This course focuses on more advanced techniques, including care and maintenance,
disease process, blood collection procedures, anesthesia administration, and
regulatory requirements for exotics, primates, avians, reptiles, amphibians,
chinchillas, and hedgehogs.
ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY VI
This course builds upon Animal Technology V with an emphasis placed on more
advanced techniques, such as advanced surgical procedures, bandaging and wound
management, orthopedics, and special procedures including feeding tubes.
SURGICAL NURSING II
This course is designed to permit the students to apply all skills and the knowledge
acquired in Pharmacology, Anesthesia, and Surgical Nursing I to perform actual
surgical assisting roles. Students will gain experience in anesthesia administration,
sterile and non-sterile assisting, patient preparation, surgical clean up, and recovery
of their patient. These duties will be performed as part of a student team under the
supervision of the staff veterinarian and licensed instructor.
RADIOGRAPHY I
This course includes the theory of general and dental radiography, methods for
exposing and developing films, animal restraint, proper positioning, radiation safety,
film reading, and error identification, correction, and prevention.
RADIOGRAPHY II
This course builds upon the first radiography course with students beginning their
practical hands-on repetitions to achieve competency in taking and developing
radiographs. This course also focuses on the theory and application of
ultrasonography, endoscopy, and fluoroscopy.
LARGE ANIMAL THEORY I
This course will introduce the student to farm animal medicine. The student will
become acquainted with anatomy, breed identification, management, restraint
methods, physical exams, reproduction, nutrition, and husbandry.
LARGE ANIMAL THEORY II
This course continues theories introduced in Large Animal Theory I to include more
in- depth information on diseases for farm animal species such as horses, pigs, and
cattle. Herd health maintenance measures are also discussed.
LARGE ANIMAL PRACTICUM
The large animal practicum introduces students to interactions with large animals
in offsite hands-on settings. Students gain experience with and exposure to a wide
variety of farm animals. Emphasis is placed on the basic skills of large animal care,
handling, restraint, physical exams, and blood collection. Radiographic positioning
relevant to large animal practice is also demonstrated. Students are evaluated
primarily by their participation and ability to execute practical skills introduced and
developed during this course.
VTNE PREPARATION
This course is a comprehensive review of both theory and practical application. It is
designed to prepare the student to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam.
Discussions will be followed by exams formatted and timed using parameters
similar to the actual test.
VET TECH EXTERNSHIP
Externships are served in a veterinary clinic, hospital, or other animal facility. The
externship experience provides the student with the opportunity to build upon the
clinical and practical skills learned in the classroom.
*Specific tasks summarized from Summary Report for: 29-2056.00 - Veterinary
Technologists and Technicians; Onet Info