Do you want to become a vet tech in New Mexico?
If that is the case, you should read the guide below for info about licensing and training.
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- Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in New Mexico
- Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in New Mexico
- Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in New Mexico
- Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in New Mexico
- Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in New Mexico
Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in New Mexico
As a vet tech, there are many tasks you are required to complete every day.
The tasks vary according to where you work, but some are similar and include the following:
- Administering medications
- Taking x-rays,
- Processing tissue samples,
- Assisting in surgery and emergency care
- Performing lab tests
- Teeth cleaning,
- Electrocardiography,
- Bandaging,
- Wound cleaning,
- Keeping detailed and accurate records of meds, supplies, patients
Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in New Mexico
In New Mexico, you can start looking for a job in the field as soon as you have enough experience with animals.
If you need more experience, you will have to train first and get a degree.
You can train by attending a college program that ends in a Veterinary Technology Associate’s Degree of Applied Science degree.
Programs for vet techs in New Mexico can vary between 2 and 3 years.
Keep in mind that the school you choose should be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
A different idea is to apply for a degree in Animal Science with vet tech specialization.
You meet the clinical practice requirement by attending an internship or an externship.
The schools below will provide additional info about the training programs in New Mexico.
Top 6 Schools in New Mexico
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Brown Mackie College-Albuquerque | 10500 Cooper Ave NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123 |
| Central New Mexico Community College | 525 Buena Vista SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus | 52 University Blvd, Roswell, New Mexico 88202-6000 |
| Navajo Technical University | State Hwy 37, Navajo Route 9 PO Box 849 Crownpoint, NM 87313 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque | 4400 Cutler Avenue NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110 |
| San Juan College | 4601 College Blvd. Farmington, NM 87402 |
To be able to attend a vet tech training program, you have to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- An essay
- Future students must complete these classes right before enrolling in the degree program:
- Biology,
- English composition,
- Math,
- Basic computer science,
- Psychology,
- Humanities,
- 2 letters of recommendation
- One of them must come from a veterinarian
- Health insurance
- Buying a medical malpractice policy
- 360 hours of previous practical experience
Scholarships are also available to those students who need help with covering their tuition.
The most common subjects you will take include:
- Introduction to veterinary technology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Emergency care and first aid
- Pathology
- Anesthesiology
- Radiology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Parasitology
- Toxicology
- Nutrition
Along with theory, you also need to attend 20 hours of practice in an animal facility.
The last semester of the training program is a preceptorship.
Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in New Mexico
In this state, vet techs are licensed by the New Mexico State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
To be eligible for the vet tech license in New Mexico, you have to submit:
- An application form
- Proof you graduated from the training program described earlier
- To pay a fee
- $300 for the exam
- $100 for the license
You will need to score at least 70% on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).
The VTNE test has 170 questions, that students need to complete in 3 hours.
You also have to get an ATT (Authorization to Test) to take the exam.
In New Mexico, you need to keep your license valid by renewing it annually.
To do that, you are required to attend 8 additional hours of education.
Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in New Mexico
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 30% growth in jobs in the vet tech industry in the upcoming years.
If you are wondering how much a vet tech earns in this state, you should know it depends on several factors.
First of all, you can get employed in places such as:
- Private clinical practices
- Zoos
- Veterinary teaching hospitals
- Rescue centers
- Wildlife or exotic animal rehabilitation centers
- Humane societies,
- Research facilities,
- Feedlots,
- Pharmaceutical companies
The other factors include the region where you live, as salaries are usually higher in metropolitan areas.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Veterinary Technicians in New Mexico
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $34,697 |
| Las Cruces | $31,503 |
| Santa Fe | $35,023 |
| Rio Rancho | $34,586 |
| Roswell | $32,503 |
| Farmington | $34,304 |
| Alamogordo | $33,059 |
| Clovis | $33,387 |
| Hobbs | $33,085 |
| Carlsbad | $32,503 |
Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in New Mexico
If you are looking for additional vet tech resources for this state, have a look at the following:
- New Mexico Veterinary Technician Association
- New Mexico Veterinary Medical Association
- National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
- Veterinary Career Network
- Vet Tech Life
- Vetcetera,
- Where Techs Connect
