How to Become a Veterinary Technician in West Virginia

Veterinary Technician Job Description

A veterinary technician is a person who understands the relationships between animals and their owners, that is why he/she is a very significant part of any veterinary facility.

His/her main duty is to offer help and consolation in those terrifying moments, work around animals, and cooperating with veterinarians or owners.

There is a little difference between the duties of a Licensed Veteran Technician and Registered Veterinary Technician.

As a Licensed Veteran Technician, your tasks may include:

• Administer anesthesia, induction, intravenous sedation, and maintenance and recovery from anesthesia;
• Perform dental prophylaxis;
• Administer resuscitative oxygen procedures;
• Administer resuscitative drugs, in the event of cardiac arrest;
• Administer immunizations that are not required by law to be administered by a licensed veterinarian;
• Prepare or supervise the preparation of patients for surgery;
• Assist the veterinarian

As a Registered Veterinary Technician you may additionally do the following:

• Perform diagnostic imaging;
• Perform intravenous catheterization;
• Administer and apply medications and treatments by oral intramuscular, intravenous and subcutaneous routes;
• Apply bandages;
• Perform cardiac and respiratory monitoring;
• Perform appropriate procedures to control bleeding;
• Apply temporary splints or immobilizing bandages;
• Perform ear flushing;
• Collect specimens; and
• Perform laboratory procedures.

Accredited West Virginia Veterinary Technology Programs

When it comes to a quality education related to this field we have to mention that there are three Veterinary Technician Schools in West Virginia, both accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the only way of becoming a licensed vet tech in West Virginia is to graduate from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Those are Carver Career & Technical Center (with BridgeValley Community and Technical College), Mountwest Community &  Technical College, and Pierpont Community and Technical College with associate’s and bachelor’s programs in veterinary technology.

Students who are attending an AVMA-accredited school can be sure that they will be well prepared for a career following graduation.

Carver Career & Technical Center is located in Charleston, has full accreditation from the AVMA, earned in 2009.

The center offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology 5-semester program which includes animal science surgical techniques and nursing, veterinary medical terminology; veterinary pathology, etc.

Another accredited veterinary technician program in WV is Pierpont Community & Technical College and it has the accreditation since 1981.

Students will receive an associate of applied science (AAS) degree once they finish the program which consists of 74 credit hours.

The third on-campus option is available at MountWest Community and Technical College. The school offers 74-credit hour, the two-year program culminates and the graduates can earn an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in veterinary technology.

Each Veterinary Technician program in West Virginia allows students to discuss his/her specific financial needs and the coursework with the Student Guidance Counselor and upon successful graduation, the student will be prepared to sit for the national and state licensing boards.

Requirements to Become a Licensed Veterinary Technician in West Virginia

But prior to all these, The Veterinary Technician Candidate must meet some of the eligibility requirements:

He/she has to be of good moral character and have a degree in veterinary technology from an accredited school, approved by the board;

He/she has to have passed the examinations required by the board and be at least eighteen years of age.

The Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) is a computer-based exam administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) and only those who graduate from the accredited vet tech program are eligible to take the exam.

Students must submit their transcripts from their vet tech program in order to be eligible, as well.

Furthermore, so as to become a registered vet tech in West Virginia, you must also complete the West Virginia State Jurisprudence Exam, which covers the state’s WV Veterinary Practice Act and Rules and Regulations.

Then, you are allowed to apply for West Virginia Registration and the documentation that you need to submit, along with transcripts and test scores, is a birth certificate and recent photo.

Candidates must be a citizen of the United States or be eligible for employment in the United States and they should not have been convicted of a crime or a felony under the laws of any jurisdiction within five years preceding the date of application for registration.

One important thing to note is that once the license is obtained, all West Virginia vet techs must renew their registration each year, by submitting proof of at least 8 hours of continuing education units over the previous year, at least four of which must relate directly to veterinary science.

Registration renewals are only available from October 1 to February 1.

Job Prospects and Veterinary Technicians’ Average Annual Salary in West Virginia

The employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is expected to grow 30 percent which is considered much faster than the average for all occupations.

It is good to know that job prospects are numerous, as registered Veterinary Technicians may find employment in teaching colleges, non-profit organizations, research laboratories, medical specialty clinics, rescue shelters, and in the military and government.

If you want to earn a decent and stable salary, while at the same time you work surrounded by people interested in animal welfare as much as you are, then you can try entering the veterinary field and becoming a veterinary technician.

The fact is that veterinary technicians earn between $19,939 and $38,855 per year.

And even if you have to work overtime in West Virginia, you could net between $13 and $27 an hour.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a Veterinary Technician in West Virginia is $31,000 per year.

Regional Salary in West Virginia

Veterinary Technicians by State