How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Minnesota

The demand for personnel in the veterinary field seems to be on the rise in Minnesota.

The occupation of a vet technician in this state could be for you if you’d like to work with animals.

Read on to discover what you have to do to enter this field!

Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in Minnesota

Veterinary techs can do few tasks without being supervised by a licensed veterinarian.

Common tasks for this job 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

Vet techs are not allowed to:

• Perform surgeries
• Decide on a treatment plan

Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in Minnesota

Before you start working you need to become licensed by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA).

This can only be done by completing your training and education through a training program that the American Veterinary Medical Association accredited.

You need to graduate with a degree in Applied Science, in Veterinary Technology.

This can last for 2 years if you choose an Associate’s degree or up to 4 years if you choose a Bachelor’s degree.

The students have to complete a period of hands-on practice at an approved location.

Sometimes the schools might help students find such an internship, but often it is up to the student to figure this aspect on their own.

You can learn more about the programs from the schools below.

If these institutions don’t offer something you’re interested in, you can also consider online learning.

You’ll have to apply for a spot in a program, and meeting these requirements is vital.

These are the most common of them:

• Age of 18 years old
• A high school diploma or GED
• 2 letters of recommendation – one from a licensed veterinarian
• A health insurance
• Buy a medical malpractice policy
• 360 hours of previous practical experience
  • It can even be a volunteering position in a vet’s office.

Students usually have to attend these classes prior to the school year:

• Biology,
• English
• Math,
• Basic computer science,
• Psychology,
• Humanities

A grade of “C” is usually mandatory for these subjects.

Your training will include:

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

Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Minnesota

To obtain the license from the MVMA, you’ll need:

• An application form
• Official transcript from the school you attended
• To pay some fees
  • $300 for the exam
  • $100 for the license
• Score at least 70% on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)

The exam comes with 170 questions that you must answer in 3 hours.

Your license has to be renewed every year after you:

• Complete 10 hours of continuing education
• Pay the renewal fee -$60

Other Certifications

In this state, you can also earn other certifications through the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS).

The certifications are either for a specialty, such as:

• Animal nutrition
• Specific species
• Emergency or critical care
• Animal dentistry

There are 3 levels you can achieve:

1. Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT),
2. Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT),
3. Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG)

Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in Minnesota

By having a look at the following facilities, you can get a better idea of what life as a vet tech will look like.

These are the facilities where you can get hired at:

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

The biggest facilities for vet techs in Massachusetts are:

• Emergency Veterinary Service, Eden Prairie
• University of Minnesota West Metro Equine Ambulatory Practice, Minneapolis
• Larpenteur Animal Hospital, St. Paul
• Animal Wellness Center, Maple Grove

Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in Minnesota

Use these resources for more information and stay updated:

• Minnesota Association of Veterinary Technicians
• Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation
• Veterinary Hospitals Association
• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
• Veterinary Career Network
• Vet Tech Life, an online journal for veterinary technicians
• Vetcetera