How to Become a Veterinary Technician in California

Are you interested in an animal-related job in California?

Then, read on for tips and info about how to become a vet tech.

Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in California

A veterinary technician is highly involved in the healthcare of an animal and works under the supervision of a veterinarian.

The most common daily duties you will have include:

• Administering medications
• Taking x-rays,
• Processing tissue samples,
• Assisting in surgery and emergency care
• Performing lab tests
• Teeth cleaning,
• Electrocardiography,
• Bandaging,
• Wound cleaning,
• Maintaining detailed and accurate records of meds, supplies, patients

In California, you will not be able to perform surgeries nor to provide medication.

Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in California

If you worked as a vet assistant, in the past, you can become a vet tech without further training.

if you are new to the field, you will need to get a license first.

Before you can get a license, you have to get a Veterinary Technology Associate’s Degree of Applied Science.

This degree is offered through several accredited training programs and lasts for about 2 to 3 years.

The accreditation should come from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

As an alternative, you can also get a degree in Animal Science with a specialization in veterinary tech.

Clinical practice is a must for future vet techs, and you can do this once you join an internship or an externship.

Check out the following schools below for more info.

Joining one of these schools generally requires:

• Being at least 18 years old
• Having a high school diploma or GED
• A written essay
• Taking the Wonderlic test
• Future students must complete these classes right before enrolling in the degree program
• 2 letters of recommendation with one of them from a veterinarian
• Health insurance
• Buying a medical malpractice policy

If tuition seems too expensive, you might be able to qualify for a scholarship or work-study.

In school, you will study the following topics, or similar:

• Veterinary math
• Chemistry
• Terminology
• Surgical nursing
• Anatomy and physiology
• Restraint
• Animal behavior
• Nutrition
• Nursing
• Veterinary economics
• Anesthesia
• Parasitology
• Animal psychology
• Radiology
• Office practice
• Animal management

Most classes ask for 200 to 400 hours of lab in an accredited clinical site.

Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in California

Veterinary technicians in California are licensed by the California State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

To get this certification, you will need:

• An application form
• Proof you graduated from the training program described earlier
• To pay a fee
  • $300 for the exam
  • $100 for the license
• Score at least 70% on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)

For the VTNE, you get 3 hours to answer 150 questions.

Your vet tech license needs to be renewed annually in California.

For this, you have to take 8 extra hours of education in an approved facility.

The California Veterinary Technician Association (AVTA) is the most important resource for vet techs in California.

Like this, you will be able to find a job and continue your education.

In this state, you can alternatively accumulate 4,416 hours of practical experience in a maximum of 2 years before taking the exam.

Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in California

Before you can decide if t want to work in this industry, you need some extra info and details about employment.

This includes knowing who the employers are and how much you will earn as a vet assistant.

Vet techs can work for:

• Private clinical practices
• Zoos
• Veterinary teaching hospitals
• Rescue centers
• Wildlife or exotic animal rehabilitation centers
• Humane societies,
• Research facilities,
• Feedlots,
• Pharmaceutical companies

Below are some of the most important companies to work for as a vet tech in California:

• Pacific Animal Hospital, Oceanside
• Southern California Veterinary Specialty Hospital, Irvine
• California Veterinary Specialists, Carlsbad, Murrieta, Ontario
• United Veterinary Specialty and Emergency, San Jose
• University of California Davis Large Animal Clinic, Davis
• Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Los Angeles

Your salary will be based on several factors.

These include whether you live in a small or big city, your credentials, and how much experience you have in the field.

Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in California

As a vet tech in California, you can check out the resources below to get some career assistance:

• California Registered Veterinary Technicians Association
• Central Coast Registered Veterinary Technicians Association
• Silicon Valley Registered Veterinary Technicians Association
• California Veterinary Medical Association
• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
• Vet Tech Life,
• Veterinary Career Network