Nov 21, 2024  
Catalog 2018-19 
    
Catalog 2018-19 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Veterinary Technology


Important Information


Short Description


Veterinary technicians are nurses for the veterinary profession. The five-semester Veterinary Technology Program provides students with the foundation and skill set necessary to pursue a career as a veterinary technician in private practice, emergency, specialty practice, zoo/wildlife, labs, research, shelters, etc.

Type of Credential


Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Program Code


S 980

Contacts and Additional Information


Program Director:

CCBC Essex, Carol M. Schwartz, VMD
443-840-1306 or cschwartz@ccbcmd.edu

Additional Information:

Semester Sequence


This is a suggested schedule for a student who has completed any developmental course work and has no transfer credits. Refer to the College catalog for specific requirements in selecting General Education Courses . Students must complete the English and Mathematics General Education requirements within the first 24 credits. Prerequisite and General Education courses are to be completed prior to being accepted into the program. Grades in these courses are used in the application process.

Semester 2 - Prior to Selective Admissions


Courses Needed for This Program*


Prerequisites - 6 Credits


General Education Requirements and Electives - 18 Credits


General Education Electives:


Choose a course in either category from the list of approved General Education Courses. It must be a Diversity course.

  • Arts and Humanities or Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 Credit(s).

Program Requirements and Electives - 41 Credits


Total Number of Credits Required for Degree: 65*


Notes


*Credit students who are new to college (no successfully completed transferable college credits from other institutions) are required to take ACDV 101 - Academic Development: Transitioning to College . This 1-credit course is designed to be taken in the first semester at CCBC. Students must provide an official transcript(s) from an accredited institution to document successful completion of college coursework for the ACDV 101 requirement to be waived.

 (Minimum grades of “C” are required;  grades of “B” or better are highly recommended due to the competitive nature of the program)

Program Description


Veterinary technicians are vital members of the veterinary healthcare team.  The five-semester Veterinary Technology Program provides students with the foundation and skill set necessary to pursue a career as a veterinary technician in private practice, emergency, specialty practice, zoo/wildlife, labs, research, shelters, etc. Emphasis is on companion animals, with exposure to lab animal, exotic and large animal species.  The program includes didactic and interactive learning as well as clinical experience.  An internship of clinical rotations is provided by the program during the second year.  Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).  State requirements must also be fulfilled prior to licensing.

The Veterinary Technology Program is accredited by The American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA/CVTEA)

Students must be available to take courses in the day and evening. In addition, it may be necessary to attend Saturday classes and to travel to off-campus locations. (Transportation is not provided.) Students are required to undergo pre-exposure rabies immunization series (program provides at a student cost of about $950), furnish proof of health insurance, have had a Tetanus booster within the last five years, and purchase uniforms.

School of Health Professions Policies


Students in the School of Health Professions are expected to conduct themselves according to an honor code; exhibit professional behavior; communicate effectively in English; provide proof of health insurance, immunizations, and a tuberculosis (TB) test; and submit to a criminal background check and drug testing. Students are expected to pay the costs associated with these requirements.

Admission


Applications for all School of Health Professions programs, except Dental Hygiene and Physician Assistant, are processed in a Central Application Service called CCBC CAS. The link to the CAS and the application instructions are located in the program admissions packet at the School of Health Professions website. You will need a CCBC student ID number and a CCBC student account password to complete the application. If you have questions about the CCBC CAS process, contact the School of Health Professions Admissions Office at (443) 840-1989 or read the FAQ selections at the bottom of each page inside the CAS application.

 

The Application deadline is April 15.

The Veterinary Technology Program is a Selective Admissions process and admittance to the program is highly competitive.  Although minimum grades in prerequisites are required and listed as C,  grades of B or better are strongly recommended.

The Veterinary Technology Program accepts a class in the Fall of every academic calendar year. To be guaranteed consideration for fall admission to the program, all application materials must be completed by April 15. VETT 106  and BIOL 110  taken in the Spring will be accepted with the understanding that Selective Admissions will then use these course grades in their evaluation.

Submit two electronic references to the CCBC CAS. Two letters of recommendation are required. One must be from a veterinarian (DVM or VMD) or registered, certified or licensed veterinary technician (RVT, CVT, LVT) with whom the applicant is currently working. This can be paid employment or volunteer work. The second can be from another veterinarian (DVM or VMD) or registered, certified or licensed veterinary technician (RVT, CVT, LVT) OR an instructor/professor OR a current employer.

Interviews, if conducted, are scheduled over a 2-3 day period, either the last week in May or the first or second week of June. Selected applicants must be available over this time period; no exceptions will be made.

Program Outcomes


Upon successful completion of this degree, students will be able to:

  1. perform the primary duties associated with the animal care field, including clinical laboratory and operating room procedures;
  2. establish patient imaging protocols;
  3. administer medications;
  4. educate owners about their pets’ health problems and how to achieve successful resolution of those problems; and
  5. supervise all aspects of patient care.

Accreditation Statement


Veterinary Technician National Examination


The Veterinary Technology Program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.  Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).  The VTNE validates competency for practice.

  July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2018
Number of eligible first-time candidates 80
Number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE 58
Three-year VTNE pass percentage 74.1%

The VTNE and Maryland State Board Examination must be completed prior to submitting an application request to become a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).  The designation of RVT is awarded by the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.