How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Montana

Montana is a good state to become a veterinary technician in.

Read this guide to learn more about the requirements and possible salaries!

Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in Montana

In Montana, you will receive a variety of tasks from a licensed veterinarian.

The tasks are related to animals, but not only:

• 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

Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in Montana

According to the law in Montana, you don’t need a license to work as a veterinary technician.

In reality, however, most employers will not hire uncertified personnel.

Before your certification process, you need a degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology.

You can find programs with accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association at both Associate’s and Bachelor’s level.

The former lasts for about 2 years and the latter for some 4 years.

Distance learning is also possible, as long as you make the arrangements for the practice hours and examinations.

The practice period is around 20 hours for each subject of study.

Below you can see the schools in Montana that offer the right degrees.

Enrolling in a training program means meeting some requirements.

While they commonly differ between school, from the list below you can get a better idea of what is expected of you:

• Age over 18
• A high school diploma or GED
  • Grades over B
• Accepting to enroll in these classes before the academic year: biology, English composition, math, basic computer science, psychology, humanities, and public speaking
  • You must obtain grades of at least C.
• Obtain at least 1 letter of recommendation from a veterinarian
• Health insurance
• Buying a medical malpractice policy
• 360 hours of previous practical experience

Some of the readers might find the tuition too high for some of the programs.

However, they can apply for grants, loans, or scholarships, that can help them cover their schooling costs.

Training will cover these topics:

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

Many schools expect an attendance rate of 100% especially considering the limited spots per program.

Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Montana

Generally, the licensing exam must be taken and passed within a year from graduating.

You’ll be asked for these documents when signing up for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE):

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

The VTNE is the licensing exam, it features 170 questions, and it lasts for 3 hours.

To pass, you must score at least 70%.

You’re expected to renew your license from time to time.

This can be done by attending some classes to continue and update your knowledge in the field.

Additionally, you’ll have to also pay a renewal fee.

Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in Montana

There are many people choosing to work in certain industries or not, based on how much they can earn and the environment around them.

Vet techs can get hired in numerous facilities, like:

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

Here are some facilities that are willing to offer you a job once you earn your license:

• Amherst Animal Hospital, Butte
• Creekside Veterinary Hospital, Bozeman
• Bridger Veterinary Hospital, Helena
• Sorensen Veterinary Hospital, Belgrade
• Veterinary Technical College, Dillon

Of course, your salary will depend on many different factors.

These include:

• Certification(s) or license
• Experience in the field
• Location

Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in Montana

Have a look at the resources below if you need more industry help:

• Big Sky Veterinary Technician Association (BSVTA)
• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
• Veterinary Career Network
• Vet Tech Life
• Vetcetera