Veterinary Technology - Iowa Western Community College

Veterinary Technology from Iowa Western Community College is a Campus Associate Veterinary degree that prepares you for a Healthcare career. Program Information The Veterinary Technology program of study prepares students to become entry-level veterinary technicians who work under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian for any purpose except diagnosis, prescription or surgery. Duties include: intensive nursing care clinical laboratory procedures radiology anesthesiology dentistry surgical assistance Graduates also have an understanding of the fundamentals of animal husbandry, management, and nursing care for a variety of species. Graduates can find employment in many sectors including small and large private animal practice, animal shelters and humane societies, clinical laboratories, education, zoos, government research, and the biomedical industry. Graduates of this program are awarded an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree . The Nature of the Work Owners of pets and other animals expect state-of-the-art veterinary care in today's increasingly competitive veterinary marketplace. To provide quality and efficient service, veterinarians utilize the skills of veterinary nursing professionals, both technicians and technologists. These professionals perform many of the same duties for the veterinary profession that Registered Nurses may provide for the human medical industry. Veterinary technicians and technologists are caring, compassionate professionals that care for, and practice veterinary skills on, animal subjects. Veterinary technologists and technicians most commonly work in private practice settings under the supervision of licensed veterinarians. However, the market for veterinary technicians in industry and government is expanding. These positions place veterinary technicians within crucial positions in research, teaching, management and governance. The Profession The profession of veterinary technology is fairly recent in its official beginnings. Although many individual veterinarians have had "assistants" to work along with them in practice, it wasn't until the early 1960's that formal education in veterinary technology began. Since then the field of veterinary technology has grown and become highly sophisticated. Along with the veterinary profession, veterinary technicians have become increasingly involved on a professional level in various organizations. Career Opportunities Careers in Veterinary Technology include but are not limited to these areas: Small animal clinical practice Large animal clinical practice Mixed animal practice Diagnostic laboratories Colleges/Universities Education Veterinary supply sales Zoos and wildlife facilities Humane societies and animal control facilities Military service Drug and feed manufacturing companies Food safety inspections Government agencies Commercial livestock production facilities Duties and Responsibilities Veterinary technicians are members of the veterinary health care team who have been educated in the care and handling of animals, the basic principles of normal and abnormal life processes, and in routine laboratory and clinical procedures. Veterinary technicians work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. While a veterinary technician can assist in performing a wide variety of tasks they cannot diagnose, give a prognosis, prescribe, perform surgery, or engage in acts reserved for the veterinarian alone. Obtain and record patient case histories Collect specimens and perform laboratory procedures Provide specialized nursing care Prepare animals , instruments, and equipment for surgery Assist in diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures Expose and develop radiographs Advice and educate animal owners Supervise and train practice personnel Perform dental prophylaxes View more details on Iowa Western Community College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Veterinary courses.