Veterinary Technician Schools
How to Find the Best Veterinary Technician Schools
For an animal lover, working in the veterinary field can be a fulfilling career. Most people with affinity with animals will usually want to study as a veterinary doctor, veterinary technician, or any allied professional.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), career opportunities in the veterinary technician field will rise by about 36% through 2012. In some states, licensed or certified veterinary technicians with adequate experience can even earn very lucrative careers, with annual salaries of about $80,000, as reported by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).
The process of becoming a veterinary technician
A career as a veterinary technician starts with school, and should commence with licensing or certification. One starts by acquiring either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Technology. Alongside theoretical study, a veterinary technician is expected to undergo hands-on experience in a practical setting. This can be through various internship, externship or practicum setups. Once a candidate has earned a degree and amassed enough practical experience, he will then be required to accomplish the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), which is designed by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), and is administered by the respective licensing boards in each state.
The Importance of Accreditation
In the United States, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is the national body that provides accreditation to schools and academic programs that specialize in veterinary technology. The AVMA has several levels of accreditation, including full accreditation, provisional accreditation, probationary accreditation, administrative probation, terminal accreditation and accreditation withdrawn. In all these cases, a graduate of a school is considered to have graduated from an accredited program except under “accreditation withdrawn” status.
While accreditation is not an absolute necessary for a school to offer veterinary technology degrees and courses, it will be to the advantage of a student to enrol in an accredited program. Some states will not require this, although most states require that one graduates from an AVMA-accredited program, given the requirements of both theoretical study and practical, hands-on experience prior to being allowed to take the VTNE.
Veterinary Technician vs. Technologist
The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines a veterinary technician as a licensed professional having completed a two-year Associate’s Degree, while a veterinary technologist is a licensed professional who has finished a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology. Operationally, though, these two terms are often used interchangeably. Still, a cited advantage of those who finish more advanced educational programs (e.g., a Bachelor’s Degree) may have better work opportunities, particularly in the field of research and related careers.
Schools across the States
Finding the school best suited for you will depend on your geographic location, resources and intended program of study. You will need to determine whether they offer Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degrees, and the level of AVMA accreditation.