How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Kentucky

If you want to work as a veterinary technician in Kentucky not only you chose a good career, but you also came to the right page!

This guide will explain the process you must follow to accomplish your dream, so read on!

Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in Kentucky

Those who work as vet technicians are under the supervision of licensed veterinarians.

Vet techs have many tasks to complete, including these ones:

• 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, and patients

Surgeries and medication recommendations are not included in their tasks or knowledge.

Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in Kentucky

Kentucky requires veterinary techs to become licensed before starting practicing.

The process of becoming licensed starts with an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology.

A Bachelor’s degree in the same field is even better when it comes to career prospects and possible salary.

You have to earn these degrees through educational programs that received accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Depending on the degree you want to pursue, you could spend up to 4 years in school.

All programs have a mandatory practice period of around 20 hours per subject that must take place at an approved site.

You usually have to complete this period in the last semester of the program.

You can consider one of the schools listed below, though you might be able to enroll in a distance learning program or attend classes in a different state as well.

Each school has different requirements for admission, and these are the most common of them:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• ACT or SAT scores
• COMPASS test
• 2 letters of recommendation
  • One of them must come from a veterinarian
• Health insurance
• Buying a medical malpractice policy
• Passing an interview
• Tetanus immunizations
• Rabies pre-exposure vaccine

You’ll generally have to complete classes for these subjects as well, before starting the program:

• English
• Math
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Communication
• Basic computer skills

Future vet techs must study:

• Introduction to veterinary technology
• Anatomy and physiology
• Emergency care and first aid
• Pathology
• Anesthesiology
• Radiology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology
• Parasitology
• Toxicology
• Nutrition

Usually, the tuition for these programs doesn’t include textbooks or other materials you might need.

Depending on your financial situation, grants, loans, and scholarships are available to help you pay for your studies.

Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Kentucky

Your veterinary technician license is issued by the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners (KBVE).

For this, you must pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

This can be done only if you graduate from an accredited program.

These are the documents you must submit:

• An application form
• Official school transcripts
• To pay some fees
  • $300 for the exam
  • $100 for the license

The VTNE  requires a score of at least 70%, has 150 questions, and you have to finish in 3 hours.

In Kentucky, this license is not valid until you start working.

You will have to renew your credential every year.

For this, you need to complete 6 hours of continuing education.

Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in Kentucky

Your workplace is an important aspect of your professional life after you become licensed.

Jobs for veterinary technicians are offered by:

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

Here are some of the best employers in Kentucky for vet techs:

• Kentucky Humane Society, Louisville
• Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington and Saratoga Springs
• Bluegrass Veterinary Specialists and Animal Emergency, Lexington
• Evergreen Animal Hospital, Louisville
• University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Lexington
• Lexington Hospital for Cats, Lexington

Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in Kentucky

In order to keep updated with the industry and its changes, check out the below resources:

• Kentucky Veterinary Technician Association
• Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association
• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
• Veterinary Career Network
• Vet Tech Life
• Vetcetera