Veterinary Technology

Career Opportunities

Graduates work in many areas of veterinary medicine such as small and large animal clinics, research facilities, academia, zoos, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Program Learning Goals

Goal 1: To prepare graduates to function as an entry-level veterinary technician in a variety of clinical settings.

Student Learning Outcomes – Students will:

• Demonstrate competence in the skills needed as outlined by the CVTEA, Policies & Procedures Manual, Appendix I, and required tasks for licensure/certification as an entry level Veterinary Technician.
• Conduct themselves in a manner in accordance with the standards set forth by the AVMA-CVTEA & the Johnson College Veterinary Technology Program for a Veterinary Technician.
• Demonstrate competence in the following skills to include but not limited to: Understanding the approach to providing safe and effective care for birds, reptiles, amphibians, rabbits and ferrets.
• Demonstrate competence in the following skills to include but not limited to: Small animal dentistry, patient assessment and patient care.
• Demonstrate competence in the following skills to include but not limited to: Basic husbandry, handling, medicating and clinical procedures for equine and bovine patients.
• Demonstrate competence in the following skills to include but not limited to: Safely and effectively handle common laboratory animals used in animal research and their husbandry needs.
• Demonstrate competence in the following skills to include but not limited to: Laboratory/clinical pathology; sample collection, perform lab tests, and prepare samples for off-site testing.
• Demonstrate competence in the following skills to include but not limited to: Radiography; perform radiographs, process radiographs, determine diagnostic quality.
• Demonstrate competence in the following skills to include but not limited to: Pharmacology/ anesthesiology; proper administration, mechanism of action and related side effects of medications, monitoring of general/light anesthesia, how to employ critical thinking skills for medical calculations.
• Demonstrate competence in the following skills to include but not limited to: Surgical; surgical suite preparation, surgical assistance, proper aseptic and sterile techniques.
• Students/graduates will demonstrate competence in the following skills to include but not limited to: Other clinical duties; general office skills, public relations, public communications.

Goal 2: To prepare graduates to pass the Veterinary Technology National Exam (VTNE) and to obtain employment as a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT.)

Student Learning Outcomes – Students will:

• Graduates will pass the VTNE at a rate consistent with AVMA-CVTEA requirements.

Goal 3: To ensure that educators of the program, both didactic and clinical, provide instructions and guidance that meets the needs of the students and the program.

Outcomes:

• Faculty will maintain current licensure in PA
• Faculty will participate in continuing professional competence related to teaching responsibilities.
• Faculty will utilize effective instructional methods during didactic and clinical laboratory courses.

Goal 4: To provide students with a curriculum and resources that are current and in compliance with the standards set forth by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), by the Committee of Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), by the International Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB), and by the institution.

Outcomes:

• The program director will review all requirements and update program documents accordingly
• The curriculum will be reviewed annually by the Program Advisory Committee to ensure it is aligned with current practice trends.
• The program resources will be reviewed annually to ensure adequacy to meet the needs of the program.

Internship

A five-week internship at an approved site must be completed after the last semester of the second year.  Students must satisfy the internship requirements of both Johnson College and the internship provider as a condition of graduation.

Some internship sites may require a criminal background check and/or a drug test.  Internship sites may bar students from an internship if a criminal record exists or a drug test has a positive result.  Costs for travel to and from an internship site are the responsibility of the student.

Retention

Veterinary Technology students are required to maintain a cumulative 2.33 GPA (76% or higher) in VET & MAT courses.  Additionally, a student must receive an average grade of “C+” (76%) or higher in each VET & MAT courses. If the student’s GPA falls below 2.33, the student will be placed on academic probation.  The following semester, your GPA must be brought up to a cumulative 2.33 in all courses listed above or you will be dismissed from the program.  If a student receives a grade below a “C+” (76%), the student must re-take the course at their own expense in order to successfully complete the program. Please review to the Veterinary Technology Academic Progression Policy for details concerning academic progress and probation details.

VET 275 and VET 277, Senior Clinical Rotations I and II are capstone courses.  clinical experiences are to provide an environment allowing students to incorporate and enhance all AVMA required tasks.  Students must receive a score of 76% or better on Clinical Rotation written final exams, oral/practical exams, and instructor evaluations of students.  Students who do not obtain a minimum score of 76% in any of the three evaluations will receive a letter grade of “F” for the rotation and must repeat the course.  Students are also required to adhere to strict guidelines on patient neglect or cruelty.

Admissions Requirements

Special Program Enrollment Requirements

Prior to the start of the first semester, students must provide proof of tetanus and rabies.  Rabies inoculation is in order to participate in any laboratory and clinical activities involving animals.

Special Admissions Requirements

A minimal high school grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 along with a minimal Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score of 900 (math and verbal) total or; Next Generation score of 260 or above (in each section) in lieu of SAT scores or; a minimal American College Test (ACT) of 18 is required for admission.  

• 1 year of Algebra with a “C+” or higher
• 2 year of English with a “C+” or higher
• 2 years of Biology or a Life Science with a “C+” or higher
• Recommended: 1 year of Chemistry with a “C+” or higher

Applicants must take 2 years of Biology and/or Life Sciences, and attain a grade of “C+” or higher.  A completed Veterinary Technology questionnaire must be submitted and ten hours of observation at a veterinary clinic is required.  Any personal references must be from a veterinarian/veterinary staff or animal husbandry individual.  

Rabies / Tetanus Inoculations:  

The Center for Disease Control considers individuals working with animals (including veterinarians and their staff) to be in the high-risk category.  The CDC’s recommendation for these individuals is to obtain a primary course of rabies vaccinations followed by serologic testing or booster vaccination every two years.

Vaccinations against tetanus and rabies are required for all Veterinary Technology students.   Proof of rabies and tetanus inoculation prior to handling animals is required.

Course Outline

For course descriptions, please visit the Course Catalog.