How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Oregon

Oregon shows fast growth in vet tech jobs, so a career in the field will be lucrative.

Maybe you want to know more about it before, so read on for info on where to train.

Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in Oregon

There are many job duties you have to finish daily, and some vary based on the facility.

However, you will have to complete the following tasks on a daily basis:

• 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 Oregon

You will need to have some experience in the field before you can get hired by a company.

If you lack experience, you can simply join a training course and get a degree.

For example, you can choose a Veterinary Technology Associate’s Degree of Applied Science degree.

It will take about 2 or 3 years to finish this degree.

You can also pursue a bachelor’s degree that will last for longer, from 4 to 5 years.

Your chosen program should be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Or, you can opt for a degree in Animal Science with vet tech specialization.

You can also attend an internship or an externship to get the clinical practice requirement met.

You will need 6,000 hours of lab practice in:

• Medical Terminology
• Basic Comparative Animal Anatomy and Physiology;
• Veterinary Office Procedures;
• Basic Pharmacology;
• Practical Animal Nutrition;
• Nursing Care and Handling of Animals;
• Animal Behavior;
• Applied Radiography;
• Applied Anesthesiology;
• Applied Clinical Laboratory Procedures;
• Principles and Practices of Medical and Surgical Assistance;
• Animal Diseases.

In addition, you also need to take 20 hours of radiation safety.

Check out the schools below in order to find a suitable program in your area.

To meet the requirements for getting accepted in one of these schools in Oregon, you need to:

• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Submit an essay
• Pass an interview
• Completing some classes before starting the training period
• 2 letters of recommendation
  • One of them must come from a veterinarian
• Health insurance
• Get the anti-rabies vaccine
• Pass a drug test
• Buying a medical malpractice policy

The theory part includes the following topics:

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

The last semester is generally a preceptorship.

Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Oregon

In Oregon, vet techs are issued licenses by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

To apply, you need:

• An application form
• Proof you graduated from the training program described earlier
• Have a clear criminal record
• To pay a fee
  • $130 for the exam
  • $100 for the license
• Score at least 70% on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)

The VTNE test has 150 questions and a duration of 3 hours.

To get licensed, you also have to pass Oregon Juris Prudence Exam/Regional Disease Test.

The vet tech license in this state stays valid for 2 years,

When it’s time to renew it, you need 15 hours of extra education.

Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in Oregon

Licensed vet techs can work in:

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

The largest employers in Oregon are:

• Bonnie L. Hays Animal Shelter (Hillsboro)
• Dog Services (Clackamas County)
• Oregon Humane Society (Portland)
• Jackson County Animal Services (Jackson County)
• MultCoPets (Multnomah County)
• Oregon Tiger Sanctuary (Eagle Point)
• Bend Veterinary Clinic – Exotics (Bend)
• In Defense of Animals (Portland)
• Wildlife Safari (Winston)
• VIP Pet Transport (Portland)

Generally, the more experience you have, the easier you can earn a higher salary.

This is also the case if you live nearby a big city like Portland or Winston.

Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in Oregon

Some extra resources you can use for industry updates include:

• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Oregon Veterinary Technician and Assistant Association
• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
• Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists
• Academy of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Technicians
• Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians
• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science