How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Rhode Island

Here is where you learn how to become a veterinary technician in Rhode Island if you think you have the calling for it.

Read this guide to also find out your possible employers and salary!

Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in Rhode Island

The job of a vet technician is full of tasks and duties.

Most of them are given by a licensed veterinarian and they include:

• Administering medications
• Taking x-rays,
• Processing tissue samples,
• Assisting in surgery and emergency care
• Performing lab tests
• Teeth cleaning,
• Electrocardiography,
• Bandaging,
• Wound cleaning,
• Keeping accurate records

Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, individuals are not required to hold a license, but employers rarely choose unlicensed personnel.

This means that those interested will have to undergo serious training for this.

Their education will last for at least 2 years, as they’ll pursue an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science with Veterinary Technology specialization.

Such a degree must come from a school that the American Veterinary Medical Association accredited.

There is just one school in Rhode Island that offers such a program, and you can see it below.

Generally speaking, there are limited spots in most of these programs.

To apply for one, you need:

• A high school diploma or GED
• To submit an essay
• To pass an interview
• Health insurance
• A malpractice policy
• Antirabies vaccine
• To pass a TB test
• To have a clean criminal record

If you can’t enroll in the program available in Rhode Island, you can also enroll in a distance-learning program.

To graduate from a distance learning program, you’ll need:

• To ensure you complete the practice hours
• The program is accredited
• To find a solution to sit through the exams

While the curriculum can differ, the general subjects are:

• 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 Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Veterinary Technician Association (RIVTA) is the body issuing licenses to veterinary techs in this state.

When you’re ready to get your certification, you’ll need:

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

The VTNE is a test with 150 questions and that lasts for 3 hours.

This license has to be renewed every year and requires 12 continuing education units, in a RIVTA-approved program.

Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in Rhode Island

Knowing where you’ll work can really help you decide on a career path.

You can find a position in these types of facilities:

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

Your main employers in Rhode Island are:

• Potter League (Newport)
• Animal Rescue League (Peace Dale)
• Volunteer Services for Animals (Providence)
• Care 4 Animals (Warwick)
• Providence Animal Rescue League (Providence)
  
• Rhode Island SPCA (Riverside)
• North Providence Animal Control (North Providence)
• Westerly Animal Shelter (Westerly)

Previous experience in the field will bring you better pay at the end of the month.

Average salaries in this state are generally higher, as you can see from the table below.

Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in Rhode Island

Use these websites when you need the news in the field or to find a job:

• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Rhode Island Veterinary Technician 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