How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Oregon

Veterinary Technician Job Description

Considering the fact that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be significant growth in the number of jobs available for vet techs in the coming years and you find this career rewarding and appealing to you, then it is the right moment to enroll in one of the schools offering this kind of education.

Going to a vet tech school in Oregon and pursuing a degree can help prepare you to combine your passion for animals into a fulfilling career.

But have in mind that as a Veterinary Technician in Oregon you will have the opportunity to work with animals of all kinds, not only cats, dogs, and farm animals, but also wildlife and exotic animals.

Accredited Oregon Veterinary Technology Programs

As you are reading this you are probably interested in becoming a certified vet tech in Oregon, but you cannot determine which educational institution is the best one for you.

You need to choose the school that suits your needs and interests, and we are here to help you make this decision easier.

First, we need to mention that a person who wants to become a vet tech must be a graduate of a program accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), the approval committee of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

For aspiring vet techs who can afford to attend schools across the USA, there are over 200 accredited associate’s and bachelor’s programs.

However, for those who are looking for a program in Oregon, there are two on-campus programs offered:

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

Some of the courses in this program include facility ward care; large animal nursing and restraint; veterinary parasitology and pathology; pharmaceutical mathematics; animal health record systems; small animal diseases; radiation safety; anesthesiology; and more.

During this program which is 7-terms long, you will need to pass three clinical.

Not everyone will be allowed to enroll in this program baing that there are course prerequisites that require that a person has a 40 hour minimum of hours of observation with a veterinarian to apply to the limited entry program.

Central Oregon Community College also offers the other on-campus CVTEA-accredited vet tech program in Oregon.

This is a 86 credit, full-time, 2 year associate of applied science (AAS) degree which has a limited number of students per two years.

The enrollment is only offered to 24 students and students will have classes related to small animal nursing; parasitology and pathology; animal hospital and office procedures; veterinary terminology; hematology and urinalysis; and many more.

Students at this college also complete two clinical practicums in their 6th term.

Also, there are some accredited online programs available for people who cannot attend on-campus classes and who want to study at their own pace.

If you are one of them, you can take a look at some of the colleges in the USA that offer accredited online vet tech programs and make sure you meet the requirements for enrollment.

Requirements to Become a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Oregon

Prospective veterinary technicians in Oregon should expect to spend 2 years in an approved vet tech program before beginning work and they can start practicing upon gaining a certification.

These are the steps that each interested applicant should take so as to become a licensed vet tech in Oregon.

Step 1: Veterinary technicians cannot be people who are not high school graduates, or GED certificate holders, so before applying to vet tech programs, make sure you possess either of these.

Step 2: Following high school, vet techs in Oregon must earn a veterinary technician degree from a Board-approved veterinary program.

Step 3: Considering the fact that a degree from an approved vet tech school is not strictly required in Oregon, it is great to know that you can become a certified veterinary technician (CVT) without a degree, but you must submit proof of at least 6000 hours of on-the-job experience in the vet tech role, as verified by an Oregon licensed veterinarian, and must complete a 20-hour radiation safety training course.

Board approval is essential for this particular path and this training requirement ranges from 1500 hours for those with a bachelor’s degree to 4500 hours for those who do not complete enough credits to earn an approved degree.

Step 4: Both of the above-mentioned applicants must sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) which is administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards.

This is a computer-based exam used to determine entry-level veterinary technicians’ competency to practice and to be credentialed.

Step 5: All applicants must also take and pass the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam/Regional Disease Test consisting of 25 questions related to diseases local to the Pacific Northwest and preparation for it.

Step 6: Vet techs who meet all previously mentioned requirements are eligible to apply to become CVTs.

The application is available online and is administered by the Oregon Veterinary Board.

Job Prospects and Veterinary Technicians’ Average Annual Salary in Oregon

Based on the statistics, there are currently 1,810 veterinary technologists and technicians employed in the state of Oregon.

Once you reach your certification, you may be employed in private veterinary offices, shelters, hospitals, or research facilities and you do not have to worry about job prospects as a veterinary technician and technologist jobs are expected to increase by 24% in Oregon.

Being that salary is always a concern for someone pursuing a new career we want to provide you with some good news.

Vet techs in Oregon can expect to make, on average, more than their peers in other states, and their annual salary ranges from $29381 to even $41488.

Regional Salary in Oregon

Veterinary Technicians by State