How to Become a Veterinary Technician in North Dakota

Veterinary Technician Job Description

North Dakota is known as a state where there are plenty of opportunities for people interested in working with animals.

The reason why so many people decide to enroll in a vet tech program is that they can combine their love of animals with a high-growth career.

If you consider becoming a veterinary technician or technologist you will get great support from the North Dakota Veterinary Technician Association (NDVTA) which is created so as to promote veterinary technology in North Dakota through continuing education events and an active job board.

So, you might be wondering what North Dakota vet techs do on a daily basis and we would like to make you familiar with their main duties.

These people are animal healthcare professionals and their main job is to help veterinarians with various procedures.

Furthermore, they are educated and trained to conduct simple diagnostic tests; take and process laboratory samples; maintain the cleanliness of facilities; sterilize equipment; update clinic inventories and patient records; etc.

In North Dakota, a licensed veterinary technician is a person who is authorized to practice by the North Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

This authorization means that he/she must have graduated from an accredited program and passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

Accredited North Dakota Veterinary Technology Programs

It is well known that each student is eager to reach the graduation moment and start practicing his/her knowledge, but prior to seeking licensure as a veterinary technician in North Dakota, the individual must have graduated from an accredited program in veterinary technology.

The fact is that one association gives approvals to programs nationally and that is the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA).

However, each school has its own requirements so you are suggested to get better acquainted with them on their official websites.

There is one CVTEA-accredited program in North Dakota and it is offered by the North Dakota State University of Fargo.

This is a competitive program that provides opportunities to explore interests through a rich array of elective courses and minors as well.

The NDSU programs in vet technology can be taken as an associate of science (AS) or a bachelor of science (BS) degree.

The curriculum consists of courses such as anatomy & physiology of domestic animals; medical terminology for the paraprofessional; animal restraint; fundamentals of veterinary radiography; clinical pathology; veterinary pharmacology; hematology; and animal disease among many others.

Once you select which school you want to attend, in order to gain entry, you will need to send the following:

• Official high school transcripts, including proof of prerequisite coursework
• Personal statement (500-600 words)
• Proof of health insurance and immunizations
• Application fee

The full-time tuition rate for ND residents ist $3,978.50 per semester while Minnesota resident tuition is slightly more at $4,456 per semester.

All students are suggested to always check with the admissions department of the institution for current tuition estimates, as they are prone to change.

In modern society, there are not only on-campus programs that attract young learners.

More and more individuals are interested in attending distance-based programs available in North Dakota as well.

This kind of program is a combination of web-based coursework and in-person clinical training at locally approved veterinary care facilities.

There were currently eight CVTEA-accredited online programs for vet techs, and you can look for your future education at the Purdue University of Indiana.

You can enroll in a distance-based associate of applied science (AAS) in veterinary technology

Penn Foster College also provides a fully accredited online program in veterinary technology.

Requirements to Become a Licensed Veterinary Technician in North Dakota

Without a high school diploma or GED equivalency, you will not be allowed to enroll in an accredited vet tech program.

But if you possess these, you just need to meet the application requirements and submit the application fee in the school you selected to attend.

Upon graduation, you will be required to take an exam by which you will show all the skills and knowledge you gained related to animal care.

Job Prospects and Veterinary Technicians’ Average Annual Salary in  North Dakota

It is believed that in the years to come, aspiring veterinary technicians in North Dakota will have greater chances of being employed as there is expected to be a strong demand for these animal healthcare professionals, and not only in North Dakota but also throughout the USA.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities will be even stronger in North Dakota, being that the statistics show that vet techs occupied the 7th fastest-growing career for associate degree holders in the state.

If you take a look at the North Dakota Veterinary Technician Association (NDVTA) job board, you will see numerous job opportunities at places such as All Pets Veterinary Clinic, Big Sky Animal Medical and Surgical Referral Center, Casselton Veterinary Service, Bismarck Animal Clinic and Hospital, Core Animal Clinic, Diamond Q Animal Hospital, Enderlin Veterinary Clinic, Lewis & Clark Animal Hospital, Prairie Veterinary Hospital, Missouri Valley Veterinary Clinic, Two Rivers Veterinary Hospital, and others.

We would like to mention that there is excellent news for veterinary technicians in North Dakota, meaning that they are not only going to experience a growth career in the state, but these workers will also earn higher salaries than national averages.

As proof of point, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that an annual average salary of vet tech in North Dakota is $31866, and it highly depends on the facility they work and the duties they perform.

Regional Salary in North Dakota

Veterinary Technicians by State