What is a licensed veterinary technician?
Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs) are animal nurses and much more. They are an integral part of the veterinary hospital staff, dedicated to ensuring high-quality medical care for animals. In addition to their nursing duties, LVTs act as patient advocates, phlebotomists, radiology, laboratory, anesthesia, and surgery technicians. Licensed veterinary technicians are trained to do everything a veterinary hospital requires to run smoothly, excluding tasks legally restricted to veterinarians, such as diagnostics, surgeries, prescriptions, and prognoses. All licensed veterinary technicians work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Technician credentialing (certification, licensure, or registration) is required in most states in the United States. The American Association of Veterinary State Boards identifies that most states require Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) candidates to be graduates of veterinary technology programs accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee of Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA-CVTEA) to become credentialed veterinary technicians. Some states require candidates for credentialing to pass a national and/or state examination. If you are interested in science, research in public health, and helping animals, Veterinary Technology is the career for you. Personal attributes that contribute to a successful career as a veterinary technician include:
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Mission statement
The mission of the Palo Alto College Veterinary Technology Program (PACVTP) is to teach students to work as veterinary healthcare professionals; to interact with other healthcare professionals and patients in a professional and ethical manner; to develop the highest possible technical skills required in the veterinary field; to always demonstrate the utmost respect and concern for the well-being of the patients they serve; to demonstrate creative thinking and problem solving; and to provide assistance to graduates and facilitate continuing educational opportunities for fellow technicians.
Program Overview
The Veterinary Technology program at Palo Alto College is a 2-year full-time cohort rigorous and very challenging AVMA-CVTEA accredited program that provides instruction in laboratory techniques, office protocols, emergency medicine, and specialty medicine as well as small, large, exotic, and laboratory animal medical and surgical nursing. The program began offering classes in 1996 and gained full accreditation from the AVMA-CVTEA in 1998, and graduated the first full cohort in May 1998 and has remained fully accredited ever since.
Students pursuing a degree in veterinary technology will receive formal training and gain the skills necessary to become licensed veterinary technicians. Students will master 350 essential skills in our 15,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility.
Students will be assigned/scheduled every semester for animal care duties and be responsible for the care and welfare of live animals housed on campus. This includes early mornings, evenings, as well as weekends, and holidays.
All veterinary technology courses must be passed with a 75% grade or better to remain in the program. Students who do not meet this requirement will not be allowed to continue and will be released from the program. One-time readmission to the program will be considered if space is available. Students must complete the program within three years from the date they first received acceptance to the veterinary technology program. Students who cannot complete the program within this timeframe will not be readmitted. No veterinary technology courses older than 3 years, before graduation, may be counted toward the AAS degree or certificate in Veterinary Technology.
Veterinary Technology Program Highlights
| Veterinary Technology Career Areas & Employment PositionsThe U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics states that employment of veterinary technicians is projected to grow 19% from 2014-2024. Career opportunities include:
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The Veterinary Technology AAS program at Palo Alto College meets the educational requirements for licensure in the state of Texas. After completing the program, students will be eligible to take a nationally recognized exam in addition to passing a state of Texas exam which will allow them to become credentialed and practice in Texas. Requirements for licensure in other states or territories may be different from licensure requirements in Texas. To find out about other state licensure requirements, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association website.
Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) Pass RateTotal* July 1 2019-June 30, 2022 | 32 Number first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE | 91% VTNE pass rate annual percentage *Three-year pass percentage |
Contact InformationAdmission questionsEmail: | Laurie Pawelek, A.A.S., L.V.T. Location: Phone: | Elena Garza Location: Phone: |
Malorie Vallejo Location: Phone: | Dr. Sitakanta Mohanty Location: Phone: | |