How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Wyoming

Through this article, you’ll find out the steps to a career as a veterinary technician in Wyoming!

Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in Wyoming

Veterinary techs work with people also, not just animals.

There are many facilities where you can find employment, as you’ll see later on, and your responsibilities will vary from one to the next.

Despite this, there are many common tasks you will responsible for completing daily:

• 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

It takes a licensed veterinarian to perform surgeries or prescribe medications.

Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in Wyoming

There are a number of states where you don’t need a certification to work as a vet technician.

Even if Wyoming is one of them, you should still earn one to find a better-paying job faster.

As it happens, you’ll have to get trained first.

Training lasts for at least 2 years, baby the end of which you’ll earn an Associate’s degree.

If you want a Bachelor’s degree, expect to study for some 4 years.

No matter your preference, the American Veterinary Medical Association must accredit the program.

This is very important when applying for your certification.

Below you can see the colleges offering such training in Wyoming.

If these options are not enough for you, you can also enroll in an online program.

Getting accepted in a course requires:

• A high school diploma or GED
• The completion of some classes right before the first semester
• 2 letters of recommendation
  • One of them must come from a veterinarian
• Health insurance
• Passing a drug test
• Passing a TB test
• Getting some vaccines, especially the one against rabies
• Buying a medical malpractice policy

Here is a brief list of subjects you’ll study:

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

For all the programs, you must complete a period of hands-on practice.

The practice must take place in an approved location dedicated to the health of animals.

This training includes:

• 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.

Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Wyoming

In Wyoming, the credential will be issued by the Wyoming Veterinary Technician Association (WyVTA).

These papers are needed when requesting your license:

• An application form
• Official school transcripts
• The payment of some fees
  • $300 for the exam
  • $100 for the license
• Your score on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)

The score on the VTNE has to be above 70%.

You have 3 hours to attempt to answer 150 questions correctly.

Your credential needs to be renewed every 2 years.

For this you need:

• An application
• Paying a renewal fee
• Completing 10 hours of continuing education

Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in Wyoming

This is the part you’ve been waiting for: learning about your possible workplace and salary!

There are many animal practices where you can put your new skills to good use:

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

These are some of the best employers in Wyoming, for vet technicians:

• Paintrock Animal Clinic, Casper
• Spring Creek Animal Hospital, Jackson
• Rocky Mountain Equine Hospital, Cody
• Snowy Range Veterinary Clinic, Laramie
• Red Desert Humane Society, Rock Springs

Knowing how much you can earn as a vet tech only means you’re more prepared for the job!

Experience and location are the major aspects influencing your salary.

Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in Wyoming

These organizations can help you solve many issues related to your new occupation:

• Wyoming 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