How to Become a Veterinary Technician in South Carolina

Veterinary Technician Job Description

South Carolina is known for residents’ love towards animals and there are 600 Veterinary Technicians who care for them.

In South Carolina, as a Licensed Veteran Technician your tasks may include:

• Record an animal’s behavior and condition
• Provide nursing care to ill animals
• Administer emergency first aid
• Assist in surgery
• Administer anesthesia,
• Collect blood, urine, or tissue samples for laboratory testing
• Perform lab tests
• Take and develop x rays
• Administer medications and vaccines
• Communicate with animals’ owners in an informed and courteous manner

Accredited South Carolina Veterinary Technology Programs

People interested in working as veterinary technicians in South Carolina should seek out a formal two- to four-year program and professional licensure.

So as to become professionally licensed, they need to graduate from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA).

This is mandatory prior to practice in this occupation in South Carolina due to the fact program accreditation proves the high quality of education provided at a specific institution.

To gain entry into any AVMA-accredited vet tech program in South Carolina, applicants typically must submit:

• Application for admission
• Official high school transcripts
• Proof of having finished particular classes, that is algebra, biology, psychology, basic computer skills, English
• Personal statement
• Proof of health insurance and vaccinations
• Application fee

They need to have in mind that some programs ask for experience working or volunteering in animal healthcare, letters of recommendation, candidate interviews, or test scores, as well.

South Carolina currently offers three CVTEA-accredited programs in the state: Piedmont Technical College, TriCounty Technical College, and Trident Technical College.

Piedmont Technical College offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology.

During the studies, students will get a chance to work and apply hat they have learned at the local animal shelter in Newberry County, as well as on local farms.

That way they will gain experience with larger animals such as horses, cows, goats, and sheep.

TriCounty Technical College of Pendleton also provides an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology.

They offer a 74 credit program which can be either completed part-time after 3 years of studies or full-time which takes 2 years.

Furthermore, the school offers a uniquely flexible schedule including day, evening, and online course options.

Courses include animal breeds & husbandry; veterinary anesthesia; clinical pathology; clinical techniques; and an externship at one of the locally approved veterinary facilities.

Trident Technical College of Charleston provides a 76-credit associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology.

Students are involved in lab work that takes place in a facility equipped with a surgical laser, digital x-ray systems, ultrasound machine, and in-house blood diagnostic machines.

For those students who are not eager to attend on-campus classes or live far away from colleges, there are distance-based vet tech programs.

These programs are actually a combination of rigorous online courses and in-person clinical practicums under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian.

This kind of education is considered ideal for people employed in a veterinary setting or with an approved facility and mentor in mind.

What students enrolled in distance learning programs will benefit form are flexible scheduling and general education courses.

They can enroll in TriCounty Technical College which is one of the CVTEA-accredited online vet tech programs across the country.

One popular choice is the associate program at Penn Foster College of AZ, which is available at quite an affordable price of $79 per credit.

For residents of SC, there are various Banfield and VCA Animal Hospitals which are approved for students to complete clinical work.

Distance-based courses are offered at Colby Community College (CCC) of Kansas as well.

This online associate of applied science (AAS) degree has classes such as principles of animal science; zoology; veterinary medical terminology; medical records & veterinary office skills; and breeds of domestic animals, etc.

Requirements to Become a Licensed Veterinary Technician in South Carolina

The American Veterinary Medical Association defines a vet tech in South Carolina as a person who has received a degree in animal health technology from an AVMA-accredited program and has received licensure to practice in the state.

This means that you will need to apply for the certification exam and pass it with a required score so as to prove your knowledge and skills obtained throughout your education.

Job Prospects and Veterinary Technicians’ Average Annual Salary in South Carolina

Upon finishing the studies, you woollike to know where vet techs in South Carolina can work.

We can say that the opportunities are abundant.

South Carolina’s veterinary technicians are employed in a wide range of facilities such as veterinary hospitals, specialty animal clinics, kennels, farms, research organizations, public policy groups, labs, pharmaceutical companies, zoos, universities, state and federal regulatory agencies, food inspection groups, and aquariums.

You can look for jobs on iHireVeterinary, which regularly posts vet tech openings at places such as the Charleston Veterinary Referral Center, Southside Animal Hospital, Aiken Veterinary Clinic, Banfield Pet Hospital, Wateree Animal Hospital, Animal Eye Care of the Low Country, Midlands Veterinary Practice, Heritage Animal Hospital LLC, and VCA Animal Hospitals.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities in South Carolina for Licensed Veterinary Technicians is projected to grow at least 30 percent, which is considered faster than the national average.

Employment will open up in a variety of capacities and what can be expected is the rise of Veterinary Technician Salaries in South Carolina.

Licensed Veterinary Technicians in South Carolina earn a median annual wage of $ 32944 but it can much higher, reaching 39146 depending on experience, medical specialties, and the location of the veterinary practice.

Regional Salary in South Carolina

Veterinary Technicians by State