How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Nevada

Veterinary Technician Job Description

We wanted to emphasize the fact that a veterinary technician must combine a desire to work with animals with the necessity of working with people as those would be his/her main daily duties.

Vet techs are there to assist the veterinarian in every aspect of animal care and some of their tasks are animal restraint, assisting in surgery and emergency care, administering anesthesia and medications, taking x-rays, performing laboratory procedures, etc.

It is good to have in mind that if you find work in private practice, you might expect to have an unpredictably hectic schedule which makes the job interesting and the career rewarding, but still quite demanding.

Accredited Nevada Veterinary Technology Programs

Those who belong to prospective students looking for a vet tech program in Nevada should have in mind that only those programs with accreditation should be taken into consideration.

We suggest you make sure you choose one that is accredited through the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), the accrediting body of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the accreditation proves the fact that the program meets certain standards and expectations and can successfully train students for a vet tech career and enable them to pass the license examination.

We are offering you a list of accredited vet tech schools and there are currently three CVTEA-accredited vet tech schools in Nevada for students to consider.

The College of Southern Nevada-Charleston Campus, in Las Vegas, is the educational institution where students can get an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology.

The college was to have full accreditation from the AVMA, and what future vet tech will learn are the fundamentals of this science, combined with hands-on experiences.

Students must demonstrate competency in skills so as to pass national and state exams, and they will reach it through the courses including introduction to animal health technology; basic animal nursing; veterinary office and clinical procedures; clinical anatomy and physiology; parasitology; animal nutrition; etc.

Pima Medical Institute, in Las Vegas, also offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology.

The school curriculum enables future vet technicians to take the VTNE after graduation.

• The program takes just 18 months to complete and some of the courses taught there are.
• Diagnostic imaging
• Exotic animals
• Large animal care and nursing
• Equine medicine and nursing
• Laboratory animal science
• Dentistry techniques
• Clinical surgery and lab
• Surgical nursing

Last, but not least attractive school offering accredited vet tech program is Truckee Meadows Community College, in Ren.

The education lasts two-year, and this is a 73 credit program that is designed to prepare students for an animal dental cleaning, animal nursing care, diagnostic testing, and much more.

There are some prerequisites determined by the school including cell and molecular biology lecture and lab, composition, and fundamentals of college math.

Students must complete two clinical externships for observation and participation in all aspects of veterinary technician practices.

Requirements to Become a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Nevada

So as to Become a Nevada Vet-Tech you are supposed to finish your 4-year high school education and get a diploma or GED certificate.

One advantage of pursuing a vet tech career is that you can begin right after finishing high school and you can become a vet tech by the time you are 21.

Besides the fact that you must have graduated from high school, have a GED or the equivalent to apply to any vet tech program, you will need to meet the admission requirements which are different for each school and we suggest that you visit the school’s website for requirements and important dates and deadlines.

Then, you must attend a school that has been accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.

Most of the classes in a vet tech program no matter which school you decided to enroll in are science-based, but you should know that some general education prerequisites are required, such as biology, English, basic math, communications, or computer skills.

The education there will lead you to the best job opportunities and the possibility of getting the license.

Job Prospects and Veterinary Technicians’ Average Annual Salary in Nevada

It is true that the career of a veterinary technician in Nevada has a promising future considering the fact that vet techs can work in various facilities, such as private practice, research, military service, veterinary teaching hospitals, zoos, and exotic facilities, humane and rescue organizations, feedlots or livestock production, or commercial and pharmaceutical sales.

How much they will earn depends on the jobs they are going to provide as well as the part of the state they find work.

Working as a researcher often pays more than working in private practice.

The average vet tech salary in Nevada is $35377, but you should know that it can range from $29770 to even $42037.

Everyone finishing the studies would like to know what the job outlook is and we can say that according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, vet tech’s job growth is expected to be at 20 percent which is faster than average of 7% for all occupations.

Being that more jobs are becoming available, it may be a good time to pursue a vet tech career as you will be able to work in a number of different environments, including animal clinics, hospitals, research facilities, zoos.

According to the current statistics, Nevada has 620 employed vet techs, which includes 420 people working in Las Vegas and the surrounding areas.

Regional Salary in Nevada

Veterinary Technicians by State