Veterinary Technology, A.A.S.

Description

Veterinary Technology is a career dedicated to the health and well-being of animals.  Licensed veterinary technicians provide professional and technical support to veterinarians, biologists, researchers, and industry.  As a member of the veterinary health care team, the licensed veterinary technician provides many aspects of patient care, including anesthesia and surgical support, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory procedures.

Limited Access Programs, Acceptance Requirements, and Curricular Sequences

Most programs in the Health Education Division are limited access programs, meaning there are special, particular, or additional admission and/or placement requirements beyond those normally required by the College. In many cases, these requirements include prerequisite classes that must be completed prior to the student’s placement into courses in the program area. Clinical seating availability is limited in all health education programs. Applicants must complete TCTC admission requirements and the additional program clinical admission requirements.

Because prerequisite requirements may exist for limited access programs, the following curriculum displays are for information only and should not be interpreted as an exact representation of course progression. The information outlines program course requirements necessary for completing a particular program of study.  Students should confer with their program advisor for more specific information.

It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of limited access program admission, program progression, and program prerequisite requirements. Students should confer with their program advisor anytime clarification or explanation is needed.

In addition to meeting general admission requirements, Health Education majors are required to meet the curriculum-specific requirements outlined below:

• Students must complete recommended developmental studies courses based on course placement criteria.
• Students must have an institutional GPA of 2.0 or higher. There are additional progression requirements in the Catalog. A grade of “C” or higher is needed in all required courses within the Health Professions department and in the Veterinary Technology Program. A student may repeat a maximum of two major courses. Students should also refer to individual program handbooks for additional information.
• Students must meet required divisional or program Technical Standards.
• Students who transfer into associate degree programs must have a transfer or institutional GPA of 2.5 or higher on previous college work (TCTC GPA supersedes any outside GPA).
• Students are required to carry professional liability insurance, which is obtained through the College.
• Some clinical agencies may require proof of personal health insurance. This is the sole responsibility of the student. Students should contact the Dean of Student Development for more information.
• Clinical agencies require criminal background checks for the Veterinary Technology program. Certain clinical agencies may necessitate more than one background check and/or drug screen. The results of the criminal background check and yearly drug screen determine if a student is eligible to enter clinical agencies. A student must be able to enter and/or remain in all clinical agencies to progress within a program. Inability to progress within a major for this reason will result in administrative withdrawal from the program. Note: Most Health Education programs require certification or licensure to use titles and/or practice the profession. Conviction of a felony, a plea of guilty to a felony, or certain misdemeanor convictions may make the applicant ineligible for certification or licensure.

Health Education Medical Requirements

The Veterinary Technology Department requires all Fall Semester clinical entry students to receive Tetanus and Pre-Exposure Rabies Vaccination. If a potential student has already received Tetanus and/or Post-Exposure Rabies Vaccination, the student must provide documentation of immunization within the first two weeks of the Fall Semester. For any student not in compliance with Tetanus and Rabies Vaccination requirements within the first two weeks of the Fall Semester, the student will be required to drop all Veterinary Technology coursework for Fall Semester clinical entry until requirements are satisfied. Clinical agencies reserve the right to not accept declination forms for certain immunizations. 

Entry to Clinical Program - Veterinary Technology

It is the responsibility of the student to track the progress of program prerequisites. The program curriculum guide can be found on the TCTC public website, www.tctc.edu/vettech. The student must meet with an assigned program advisor each semester to obtain guidance and to ensure prerequisite changes have not occurred. Changes in program and curricular requirements can occur.

The day after final semester grades are posted, eligible students will receive an email from the Veterinary Technology Department Head through the student’s Tri-County Technical College e-mail account with the Notice of Completion electronic form attached. This e-mail serves as an official offer for a seat in the program and identifies the Notice of Completion submission date. When the Notice of Completion form has been processed, the student will receive instructions and a deadline to pay the non-refundable program deposit fee. Failure to pay the program deposit fee by the specified date will result in delayed entry. When verified, the date on which this form is submitted then becomes the student’s “Complete Date,” and the student is placed on the complete list. The Complete Date means the student is eligible to start the actual program classes with the next available class if space is available. The minimum GPA must be maintained to continue on the complete list.

If an entrance policy changes for a program, the student’s requirements would remain the same unless the student withdraws from enrollment or is not enrolled for two consecutive terms. If such a withdrawal or non-enrollment occurs, the student is required to meet new entrance policies in the current College Catalog.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Manage a veterinary office
• Administer medications
• Perform effective patient care
• Anesthetize patients
• Assist veterinarian with surgical procedures
• Perform laboratory procedures
• Perform imaging
• Perform procedures on laboratory animals
• Show expertise in avian, exotic, and small mammals

Graduation Credits Required: 75