Why study to be a Veterinary Technician ?
With a team-centered learning atmosphere, modern facilities, and unique hands-on learning partnerships, COCC's Veterinary Technician (Vet Tech) program prepares students for exciting, rewarding careers in treating and caring for animals. One of only two American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited programs in Oregon, the Redmond-based Veterinary Technician program combines a fully functioning vet clinic, ultra-realistic animal simulations, visits to ranches, rescues, and other field experiences, and direct work with live patients through an affiliation with BrightSide Animal Center, a working shelter.
In this two-year program (summers off), students gain confidence and refine technical skills as they progress from small hands-on labs and lectures to fulfilling 360 hours of clinical internship work during their final term, making valuable career connections in the process.
"Not only do you get to work with animals, but you get to work with the people who love them, and that's a reward in itself."— Cierra Buer, DVM, medical director of the COCC Veterinary Technician program.
Certified veterinary technicians provide the day-to-day care essentials that assist veterinarians in treating patients, with responsibilities ranging from radiology, diagnostic testing, and dental care to lab work, surgery preparation, and anesthetic monitoring. Veterinary technicians must pass both a national and state credentialing examination and stay up-to-date with continuing education to be considered licensed/ registered/certified (the term varies by state).
"I transferred to COCC from a university and noticed no difference in the quality of education between the two. I loved all of the different types of classes I took, covering a wide range of veterinary technology skills and practices. I felt confident and excited to go into the workforce, and if it weren't for COCC, I wouldn't be six years into my dream job."— Allison Lake Marvin, CVT, COCC Veterinary Technician graduate, cardiology department staff at Oregon State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital
PROGRAM
The Veterinary Technician Associate of Applied Science is designed to prepare students to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination to become a certified veterinary technician. The program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities as a program for educating veterinary technicians. The program provides education in subjects such as animal husbandry, nursing, nutrition, animal handling, parasitology, hematology, microbiology, radiology, pharmacology, anesthesiology, dental prophylaxis, surgical assisting, and office procedures.
Pass Rate
Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) 3-Year Pass Rate
Dates: July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2022
Number of first-time candidates that have taken the VTNE: 9
Three-year VTNE pass percentage: 100%
Dates: July 15, 2022 - August 15, 2022
Number of first-time candidates: 14
Pass rate: 100%
FUTURE STUDENTS
Learn more about attending Central Oregon Community College.
Contacts
Beth Palmer
Program Director
Associate Professor of Veterinary Technician Education
541-318-3724
bpalmer@cocc.edu
Allied Health Department
541-383-7420
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