| What is Veterinary Technology? |
Veterinary technicians perform many skills in a veterinary practice, including nursing care, anesthesia, assisting in surgery, and diagnostic testing. Veterinary technicians must have not only a passion and love for animals, but also a strong interest in medicine and a genuine desire to help people. Graduates may work in veterinary offices, emergency and critical care, zoological medicine, laboratory animal medicine, and pharmaceutical sales. Learn more about the career at navta.net |
| Semester Program Begins |
Fall semester; Full time; Day classes only |
| Minimum Age Requirement |
Age 18 at the time program starts. |
| General Admission Application Process |
- Apply to Gwinnett Technical College at GwinnettTech.edu, submit all transcripts from high school and previous college work, and take the ACCUPLACER test, if required. Students must be accepted into Gwinnett Technical College prior to applying to a program study.
- Applicants are initially accepted into the Interdisciplinary Studies degree program while completing the required prerequisite courses.
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| Program Application Process |
- All applicants are required to submit a program packet. Forms are available online at http://www.GwinnettTech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/
- ATI TEAS Exam must be completed prior to June 1
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Prerequisite Courses
(Minimum 2.0 GPA) |
All of the following:
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*Course must be completed within five years of the program Application deadline.
**Course must be completed within 10 years of the program Application deadline.
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| Program Deadlines |
Fall application deadline: June 1
Prerequisite deadline: End of summer |
| Competitive Admissions |
A mandatory meeting will be held after the deadline for all applicants who have completed the prerequistes. Competitive admissions will be based on attendance at the mandatory meeting, GPA for required prerequisites, ATI TEAS Exam. |
| For more information, contact: |
Kim Smith, program support specialist, KimberlySmith@GwinnettTech.edu, 678.226.6966. |
| For admission and enrollment, contact: |
Enrollment Support Center in Building 100 or at HealthTeam@GwinnettTech.edu, or Building A at the Alpharetta-North Fulton campus, or email. |
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Information Sessions
Lawrenceville Campus: 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Building 200, Room 111
Alpharetta-North Fulton Campus: 1st Tuesday of every month from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., by appointment only
Please contact Kim Smith at KimberlySmith@GwinnettTech.edu to make an appointment
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Quick Facts
| 2017 Median pay |
$33,400 per year / $16.06 per hour |
| Entry level education |
Associate degree |
| Number of jobs, 2016 |
102,000 |
| Job growth, 2016 - 2026 |
20% (much faster than average) |
Nature of the Work
Owners of pets and other animals today expect superior veterinary care. To provide this service, veterinarians use the skills of veterinary technicians, who perform many of the same duties for a veterinarian that a nurse would for a physician. Veterinary technicians typically conduct clinical work in a private practice under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Veterinary technicians often perform various medical tests and treat medical conditions and diseases in animals. For example, they may perform laboratory tests such as urinalysis and blood counts, assist with dental care, prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and assist veterinarians in a variety of other diagnostic tests. Some veterinary technicians record patients’ case histories, expose and develop x-rays and radiographs, and provide specialized nursing care. In addition, experienced veterinary technicians may discuss a pet’s condition with its owners and train new clinic personnel. Veterinary technicians assisting small-animal practitioners usually care for small pets, such as cats and dogs, but can perform a variety of duties with mice, rats, sheep, pigs, cattle, monkeys, birds, fish, and frogs. Some veterinary technicians work in mixed animal practices where they care for both small pets and large, domestic animals. Besides working in private clinics and animal hospitals, some veterinary technicians work in research facilities under the guidance of veterinarians or physicians. In this role, they may administer medications, prepare samples for laboratory examinations, or record information on an animal’s genealogy, diet, weight, medications, food intake, and clinical signs of pain and distress. Some may sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment and provide routine postoperative care. Occasionally, veterinary technicians may have to euthanize seriously ill, severely injured, or unwanted animals.
Work Environment
While people who love animals get satisfaction from helping them, some of the work may be unpleasant, physically and emotionally demanding, and sometimes dangerous. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that full-time veterinary technicians experienced a work-related injury and illness rate that was much higher than the national average. At times, veterinary technicians must clean cages and lift, hold, or restrain animals, risking exposure to bites or scratches. These workers must take precautions when treating animals with germicides or insecticides. The work setting can be noisy. In some animal hospitals, research facilities, and animal shelters, a veterinary technician is on duty 24 hours a day, which means that some work night shifts. Most full-time veterinary technicians work about 40 hours a week, although some work 50+ hours a week.
Employment
Employment of veterinary technicians is expected to grow 20 percent nationally over the 2016-2026 projection period. A growing pet population will require more veterinary technicians. As veterinarians perform more specialized tasks, clinics and animal hospitals are increasingly using veterinary technicians to provide more general care and do laboratory work. In May 2016, there were approximately 102,000 veterinary technicians employed nationwide.
Earnings
Median annual wages nationally of veterinary technologists and technicians were $33,400 in May 2017. The bottom 10 percent earned less than $22,880 and the top 10 percent earned more than $49,350.
Research the Career
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-technologists-and-technicians.htm (visited September 11, 2018).
The Gwinnett Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
Lisa Richardson, Section 504/ADA, Title IX and Equity Coordinator, Building 100, Room 708, 678.226.6691, LRichardson@GwinnettTech.edu
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