Veterinary Technician Programs
Training as a veterinary technician will afford you career opportunities that will involve working with animals on a daily basis. A veterinary technician is a licensed professional who provides assistance to a veterinary doctor in various capacities. As such, veterinary technician programs will involve theoretical and practical studies in the various areas of animal care and treatment. Veterinary technician programs will also prepare a prospective vet tech in other non-medical professions that involve animal care, such as animal conservation efforts, zoos, and the like.
Accreditation
In the USA, Veterinary Technician programs need to be accredited, in order for graduates to be eligible to apply for certification under the various state governing bodies for the profession. A program will usually need to offer practical, laboratory or clinical experience to its students, along with theoretical classroom studies, in order to be eligible for accreditation.
The primary accrediting organization for Vet Techs in the country is the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA), which also provides accreditation for veterinary medicine schools. The Department of Education recognizes the AVMA as responsible for reviewing and setting standards for veterinary technician schools, which are required in order to earn and retain accreditation. The AVMA also publishes a list of accredited schools that have successfully gone through their review.
Accreditation is voluntary, and is not a strict requirement for veterinary technician programs, though. The process can be expensive and time-consuming. Additionally, not all schools may have enough resources to comply with the AVMA’s requirements. Therefore, accreditation is one way by which a good school can set itself apart from non-accredited schools. Some advantage of accreditation includes the following:
• Only programs accredited by an entity recognized by the US Department of Education are eligible for federal financial aid.
• Graduates of accredited schools are usually seen as having met educational standards set by the AVMA.
• Students of accredited programs who transfer to another accredited school can transfer their academic credits.
Curriculum
A good veterinary technician program will involve concepts and practical applications in animal nursing, laboratory procedures, animal care, and surgery. The requirements for becoming a certified veterinary technician are overseen by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, and will involve expertise and knowledge in the following fields: animal anatomy, animal anesthesiology, animal nursing, animal dentistry, parasitology, pharmacology, public health, animal physiology, radiology and zoonotic diseases (animal to human or human to animal transfer of diseases).
Internship
Most Vet Tech programs will also include a period of internship or practicum, which will immerse a students into the day-to-day situations that a veterinary technician will experience. This would either be an internship, in which the student practices within the confines of the school. For example, the school might run its own veterinary clinic, or takes care of animals in the grounds. Or, the program can be an externship, in which students are assigned to assist veterinary doctors or technicians outside of the school premises.
Due to the nature of the veterinary technician profession, Vet Tech programs are often expected to focus both on the theoretical and practical sides of the profession. Accreditation will ensure quality of education, although it is not a strict requirement for schools to follow. The important thing to consider is the applicability of a program to your needs, and whether you can meet the rigorous requirements of studying as a veterinary technician.