| Frequently Asked Questions |
1. What is a Registered Veterinary Technician?
2. How long does it take to get a degree in Veterinary Technology?
3. How much will my education cost?
4. I haven't been to school in many years, will I be at a disadvantage?
5. Are any of the Veterinary Technology classes offered at night?
6. Does the Veterinary Technology Program offer any classes during the summer?
7. Is there a specific sequence that I need to take and complete the coursework?
8. Do I have to start in the fall?
9. How do I apply for admissions to the Veterinary Technology Program?
10. Is there a specific cutoff date by which the Program has to receive my application for enrollment?
11. What is expected of me as a student in the Veterinary Technology program?
12. Will I have to care for animals during the semester and holidays?
13. How much animal contact should I expect to encounter?
14. Does the Program have to be completed in 2 years?
15. What happens after I graduate from the Program?
16. What will I do as a Veterinary Technician?
17. What are some of the career opportunities available upon graduation from the Program?
18. What is the difference between a Certified, Licensed and Registered Veterinary Technician?
19. What is the difference between a Veterinary Assistant and a Registered Veterinary Technician?
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What is a Registered Veterinary Technician?
A Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is an individual that has completed an accredited two or four year program in Veterinary Technology (like Midland College) and has passed a national and state licensure board examination. A RVT plays an important role on the veterinary team by assisting veterinarians in the care and health management of animals. The RVT is trained in animal nursing techniques, anesthesia techniques, radiographic techniques, and many other fields that are commonly seen in the veterinary practice. Veterinarians can utilize a RVT to educate the client on proper care of their animals- whether it is from administering medications or figuring out what to feed a newly acquired addition to the family, the knowledge that the RVT has acquired leaves the veterinarian free to attend to more pressing matters. The veterinary profession is currently experiencing a tremendous shortage of RVT's. The job market has expanded with the understanding of how to properly utilize these skilled individuals, and new job opportunities have emerged for the RVT in other areas of animal care. The RVT is no longer limited to working in a small or large animal practice. As the field of veterinary medicine grows and expands to encompass new or more specialized medicine like exotic animals, pharmaceuticals, and research the need for the RVT only grows.
How long does it take to get a degree in Veterinary Technology?
The Veterinary Technology degree was originally designed as a two year program. Graduates from these two year programs are called Veterinary Technicians. However, there are programs that offer the degree in a four year period. Graduates from these four year programs are called Veterinary Technologists.
How much will my education cost?
Education costs are outlined per semester on the Midland College web page, and also in the Veterinary Technology Student Handbook. Midland College offers financial aid to any student who qualifies for additional support.
I haven't been to school in many years, will I be at a disadvantage?
Our typical student is between the ages of 18-26, however we do have students who are older enroll in the program on a frequent basis. Coming back to college level classes can be difficult at first, but most of our students are highly motivated to succeed, and are willing to do what it takes to get good grades. Midland College offers an excellent support system for returning students in the form of writing and math labs, tutorial centers, discussion groups, child care facilities, and academic counseling. We are here to help you succeed!
Are any of the Veterinary Technology classes offered at night?
Many of the general education classes that are required to complete the program are offered at night such as Math, English, Chemistry, and Biology. However the core Veterinary Technology courses are not offered at night. Many of our students are able to maintain a full time school load (12 semester hours or more) and work at least 20-30 hours. However, it takes time and forethought to coordinate school, work and family schedules. We do our best to inform you of courses that will require extra out of class time at the beginning of each semester so you can plan on setting time aside to complete the duties that need to be done out of class.
Does the Veterinary Technology Program offer any classes during the summer?
Yes, there are limited Veterinary Technology courses that are offered in the summer. However this is the only time during the two year program they will be offered, so for students who wish to complete the program in two years they will have to be taken in the summer when they are offered.
Is there a specific sequence that I need to take and complete the coursework?
Yes, there is a specific way in which the program needs to be completed. Due to the advanced coursework of the second year- students will need to complete all first year coursework before continuing on with the second year curriculum. Many of the second year classes have prerequisites that have to be completed before the student can be enrolled in those courses.
Do I have to start in the fall?
No, students can enroll in the spring semester. However they will have to complete the first year Fall coursework the next time it is offered. This will extend the students enrollment in the program for approximately 2 semesters since our courses are offered only once a semester.
How do I apply for admissions to the Veterinary Technology Program?
The first step is to apply to Midland College. After you have completed the Midland College Application, you can complete the Veterinary Technology Application which can be found on our website under Application Process. You will receive a letter from the program with the status of your application. If you have been accepted, the next step is to complete an interview with our Program Director. During the interview you will receive important information about the requirements of the program. Once the Program Director has received all of your information, you will be able to enroll in the Program!
Is there a specific cutoff date by which the Program has to receive my application for enrollment?
Applications for the Veterinary Technology Program must be received by AUGUST 15th to be processed for the Fall Semester.
What is expected of me as a student in the Veterinary Technology program?
The biggest expectation of our students is Ward Care. Our students are responsible for the care of the animals that we house in our facility during the Fall and Spring semesters. The students will be expected to care for the animals twice a day during their assigned weeks. Failure to participate in ward care will result in the student failing or being dropped from the courses in which ward care is a requirement. Student will have ward care duties all four semesters while in the program. Students should be aware of this, and make arrangements with employers PRIOR to their weekly assignments. Students will also be prohibited from registering for classes during the designated ward care time to ensure the animals are cared for. Students should also expect to spend extra out of class time during their Surgery and Anesthesia course (last semester in the program). This course requires the students to clean the surgery facilities, and prepare all equipment and supplies for surgery. This can be alot of work, but the students are encouraged to work as a team to complete their assigned duties, thus resulting in less time for everyone! Our students are also required to complete a Practicum- or an internship with licensed veterinarian. The practicum is usually taken the summer after the students last semester in the program. The student is required to log a total of 400 clock hours. This has to be completed before the beginning of the next Fall semester.
Will I have to care for animals during the semester and holidays?
The students will have to perform Ward care during the regular Fall and Spring semesters. The students are not required to perform Ward care on any school holiday. Students can volunteer their services for extra credit in any Veterinary technology course if they perform ward care on a school holiday.
How much animal contact should I expect to encounter?
The students will have contact with animals of all species from their first semester until their last. The students are responsible for the care of these animals during ward care duties. The students will also come into contact with animals during almost all of our laboratory classes. Students are encouraged to inform the staff of any existing allergies, or the development of any allergies so arrangements can be made.
Does the Program have to be completed in 2 years?
No, there are circumstances where students have taken up to 5 or 6 years to complete the program. Since our classes are only offered once a semester in either the Fall or the Spring- if a student cannot take the full course load during a semester they will have to prolong their completion of the program.
What happens after I graduate from the Program?
Upon graduation from the Veterinary Technology Program, our students are eligible to sit for the National and State Board Exams to become a RVT. These exams are usually offered twice a year, in June and January, and are usually held in the state capital (Austin in Texas). Upon passing both board exams the you are now a Registered Veterinary Technician in the state of Texas. The student can then apply for positions in the veterinary field that require RVT certification. If you are currently working in a clinic, most veterinarians offer a raise in pay once your results have come in.
What will I do as a Veterinary Technician?
A Veterinary Technician is knowledgeable in the care and handling of animals, in the basic principles of normal and abnormal life processes, and in routine laboratory and clinical procedures. As a Veterinary Technician you are primarily an assistant to veterinarians, biological research workers and other scientists. In a clinic a Veterinary Technician does a number of things on a daily basis. Your duties can range from a few of the following to all of the following depending on the size and specialty of your practice. Some of the technical duties include: nursing care, collection and processing of laboratory samples (blood, urine, feces, skin scrapings, etc.), induction, maintenance and monitoring of general anesthesia, dressing wounds and performing wound therapy, radiography positioning, exposure and development, and assisting with diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures. Some managerial tasks include: ordering and inventory of supplies, personnel management, record keeping, maintenance of medical or diagnostic equipment, and client education. This of course does not include all of the routine care you will be providing to sick or medicated animals that are housed at your clinic. Keep in mind that this is only a small example of some of the daily tasks a RVT can be expected to perform or participate in, the list continues to grow as veterinarians learn to utilize our skills.
What are some of the career opportunities available upon graduation from the Program?
As stated before, the field of veterinary medicine is in great need of RVT's. This has opened the door to a whole new career field for RVT's. RVT's can be expected to find opportunities in small animal, large animal, exotic animal or mixed animal veterinary clinics or hospital, specialty practices, zoo/wildlife medicine, aquatic facilities, biomedical research facilities, rehabilitation facilities, business and industry, pharmaceutical sales, military, humane societies, veterinary supplies sales, education and the list continues to grow.
What is the difference between a Certified, Licensed and Registered Veterinary Technician?
The only difference between these titles is what the state the Technician resides in calls them. In Texas, we are Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT) whereas in Colorado they are Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVT). Whether you are a certified, licensed or registered Veterinary Technician the education you received is the same, an Associates degree.
What is the difference between a Veterinary Assistant and a Registered Veterinary Technician?
A Veterinary Assistant is someone who has little to no formal training in veterinary medicine or animal care. Veterinary Assistants can only assist a veterinarian or a RVT with non-technical duties, such as animal restraint, and the care of the animals housed in the kennel. They cannot draw blood, perform physical exams, run diagnostic laboratory tests, educate clients, assist with or monitor anesthesia, assist with surgical procedures, fill or dispense prescription drugs under the supervision of a veterinarian, place catheters or any of the other specialized areas that a RVT is trained in. Most Veterinary Assistants do not have degrees, but may have been awarded a certificate.