How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Ohio

Veterinary Technician Job Description

If you are wondering what Veterinary Technicians do in Ohio we would like to mention that under the supervision of a licensed Veterinarian, your tasks as a Licensed Veteran Technician may include, the following:

• providing treatment for routine problems
• recording temperature, pulse, and respiration
• recording animal medical history
• assisting the veterinarian with physical exams
• preparing animals and equipment for surgery
• assisting with surgeries and other medical procedures
• performing anesthesia
• collecting blood, urine or stool samples
• processing laboratory tests
• developing radiographs and x-rays, and many other duties.

Accredited Ohio Veterinary Technology Programs

In case you are interested in enrolling in a veterinary technician program in Ohio, it is good to know that it has to possess the accreditation by the primary accreditation body for vet tech schools in Ohio and that is the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), a division of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Otherwise, even though you graduate, you will not be allowed to sit for the certification exam, meaning that you cannot become licensed vet tech.

There are nine CVTEA-accredited veterinary technician programs in Ohio and we will provide you with a short description of each of them.

Columbus State Community College offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology and has full accreditation from the AVMA.

The great thing is that the school has relationships with 160 different clinics in the state so as to provide students with the best possible training and experience while going through the practical parts of their schooling.

The AAS degree program is offered full-time during the day, or part-time in the evenings. If you enroll in the full-time program, you will be able to graduate within five semesters, while those who enroll in the part-time program will need to study for 11 semesters.

Cuyahoga Community College in Parma is another excellent option for Ohio residents who are seeking vet tech programs.

The school offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology and has AVMA accreditation.

The program lasts four semesters and a summer session, and the courses that are taught include veterinary science; veterinary diagnostic imaging; veterinary pathology; dentistry for veterinary technicians; animal health and disease; veterinary emergency, and critical care; and more.

Twenty-five students are accepted into the program each year and, it is worth noting that they must have completed prerequisites before beginning.

Kent State University offers an AAS degree in veterinary technology at their Tuscarawas and Trumbull campuses.

However, enrollment is not allowed to everyone.

As a prerequisite, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and 15 hours of field experience in a veterinary practice in order to apply.

The program covers 64 credits and includes courses such as clinical laboratory; veterinary nursing; surgery and anesthesia; laboratory and exotic animal medicine; veterinary office applications; and more.

Ross College in North Canton also offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology and this 24-course program contains courses such as common diseases and medical conditions of animals; veterinary laboratory procedures; animal restraint and handling; examination room procedures; surgical preparation and assisting to mention a few.

Students are required to complete labs and an externship, and the program takes 96 weeks to complete.

Sinclair Community College offers an accredited AAS program in Veterinary Technology and besides the regular courses, all students must complete labs, clinical practicums, and a preceptorship to gain hands-on veterinary technician skills knowledge.

Stautzenberger College in both Brecksville and Maumee offers a 24-month long AAS degree in veterinary technology during which students take general vet education courses, complete labs, and a veterinary externship.

In case you choose the University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College as your future educational institution, you will be able to get an AAS degree in veterinary technology in Ohio after 5 semesters including one summer.

However, the only way of enrolling in this competitive program is by meeting the requirements, that is, to have a 2.75 GPA and 20 hours of veterinary-related experience prior to applying.

Courses in this program include veterinary imaging; laboratory procedures; pharmacy and pharmacology; principles of anesthesia and surgery; among many others and students complete a technical practicum and a preceptorship in their final semester.

Requirements to Become a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Ohio

We are offering you the typical steps required to become a veterinary technician in Ohio:

Students must graduate from one of the accredited vet tech schools in Ohio and this can be done after two r four years.

You can graduate at accredited schools that offer an associate of science (AS), an associate of applied science (AAS), or a bachelor’s degree (BA/BS).

Then, you need to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and if you pass it, you can register with the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board (OVMLB).

There is no special state test for vet techs in Ohio, they are required to register with the OVMLB.

Last, but not least, you will need to renew OVMLB registration every two years after completing ten hours of continuing education credit.

Job Prospects and Veterinary Technicians’ Average Annual Salary in Ohio

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for veterinary technicians and technologists are expected to grow in the years to come, and becoming a veterinary technician in Ohio can be an important investment in your future.

Ohio holds high standards to become a Registered Veterinary Technician qualified to work in the state, but once you become, you can expect excellent job prospects and even better salary.

Vet techs in Ohio make an average annual salary of $33619.

The mean hourly wage of a vet tech in Ohio is $14.13 per hour.

Depending on the work you perform and the facility where you work, your salary as a vet tech in Ohio can range between $28291 and $39948 per year.

Regional Salary in Ohio

Veterinary Technicians by State