How to Become a Veterinary Technician in California

Does your love of animals run deep? If you can envision a life of helping animals, a career as a veterinary technician (or vet tech) may be the right choice for you. Dedication to the proper treatment and care of animals, whether you wish to work with exotic animals or cats and dogs, is an excellent start. If you are interested in joining the world of veterinary medicine, it is time you explore this challenging and rewarding career path. Let’s take a closer look at how you can make a difference in the lives of animals and their families by becoming a veterinary technician in California.

What Does a Veterinary Technician Do? 

Veterinary techs and technologists are supervised by licensed veterinarians who perform medical tests to help diagnose animals’ illnesses and injuries. Depending on the work environment, a vet tech job description may include care, clinical, and laboratory tasks. Additional vet tech responsibilities consist of:¹

• Check the condition of an animal and observe its behavior.
• Administer first aid to injured animals.
• Groom animals such as bathing, brushing, cutting hair, and trimming nails.
• Restrain animals during exams and procedures.
• Prep animals and equipment for surgery.
• Create and maintain animal case histories.
• Perform diagnostic testing like taking x-rays, laboratory tests, blood counts, and more.

Technicians who work with small animal practitioners may help care for a variety of animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice. Duties may include administering medications (where permitted), conducting various diagnostic and laboratory tests like heartworm and urinalysis, and recording an animal’s weight, diet, symptoms of illness, and signs of pain.

In addition, it is typical for a vet tech to talk with pet owners and explain their pet’s condition or how to administer any treatment or medication prescribed by a veterinarian.

Benefits of Being a Vet Tech 

As you consider taking on a vet tech role, you may question whether it comes with benefits. Yes, the job has advantages that many other occupations lack. One advantage is a unique, fast-paced work environment that varies daily. The vet tech’s career has a high degree of flexibility, allowing professionals to work across the country in various settings. Vet tech positions also offer the potential for growth over your career. One of the most cited benefits of being a vet tech is knowing that you can make a difference for pets and their families.

Vet Tech vs Vet Assistant 

While Vet Tech and Vet assistant jobs seem similar, there are several key differences between them. The tasks of a vet tech include all of the tasks outlined for vet assistants, and also additional duties determined by the VMB. In CA those additional duties are Induction of anesthesia, Suturing existing skin wounds, and extracting teeth. Veterinary assistants are not permitted to perform any of the duties designated for RVTs (or Vet techs).

On the other hand, vet assistants do not require a degree, although employers may prefer a candidate that holds one. These professionals provide support services for a veterinarian or veterinary tech. Vet assistants perform kennel work, aid in the handling of animals, walk or feed animals, and carry out clerical duties. While there are training programs for vet assistants, some receive on-the-job training.²

Those vet assistants that opt for a post-secondary degree can do so in a relatively short time allowing for quick entry into the field. 

What Will I Learn in SJVC’s Veterinary Technician Courses? 

As a student in Veterinary Technology at San Joaquin Valley College, you will learn how to:

• Calculate dosages, prepare, and dispense medications in compliance with a veterinarian’s orders.
• Implement anesthetic plans to facilitate diagnostic, therapeutic, or surgical procedures.
• Perform pre-, peri-, and post-operative management of surgical patients.
• Perform dental procedures, including a Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT).
• Perform laboratory tests/procedures and understand the results.
• Apply the concepts of animal care and nursing.
• Produce diagnostic images and/or radiographs following protocols for quality and operator/patient safety.
• Evaluate a patient requiring urgent or emergency care.
• Relate and apply concepts of communication, reasoning, critical analysis, ethical behavior, and appropriate interpersonal interaction to situations in his or her career and personal life.
• Demonstrate the social skills, professional appearance, attitudes, and behavior that employers expect of all SJVC graduates.

Vet Tech Classes 

In as few as 18 months, the Veterinary Technology program at SJVC can teach students to learn through a combination of classes, hands-on training, and clinical experience under the supervision of a registered veterinary technician or doctor in veterinary medicine. The training addresses animal patient care, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and surgical assisting. To ensure students receive real-world experience, practicum hours rotate among various animal care facilities.

Additionally, graduates are eligible to work immediately as veterinary assistants and can test for the Veterinary Technician National Examination. SJVC prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program.

The coursework consists of 77 total credit hours comprised of the following topics:

Veterinary Technology Courses:

• Introduction to Veterinary Assisting 
• Introduction to Life Sciences 
• Animal Nursing 
• Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology I 
• Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology II 
• Veterinary Pharmacology 
• Veterinary Laboratory Procedures 
• Veterinary Radiology 
• Veterinary Surgical Assisting 
• Veterinary Dentistry and Critical Care 
• Advanced Anatomy & Physiology 
• Animal Nursing II 
• Veterinary Pharmacology II 
• Advanced Technical Skills 
• Veterinary Laboratory Procedures II 
• Exotic and Large Animals Skills 
• Veterinary Surgical, Dental, and Critical Care Procedures 
• Course Review and Essential Skills 
• Directed Clinical Experience 
• Graduate Readiness Seminar

General Education Courses:

• Reading Composition-Part A
• Reading Composition-Part B
• College Algebra-Part A
• College Algebra-Part B
• Ethics
• General Psychology
• Introduction to Sociology

Prepare for a Career in Veterinary Medicine With San Joaquin Valley College 

Whether you are pursuing work in a private clinic, animal hospital, zoo, lab, or humane society, our veterinary technology training will prepare you to work as a vet tech upon graduation. As a community college, we are committed to your success. And to help ensure our students’ achievement, we offer several start dates, small class sizes, and career planning and employment-related services in your career field. Request more information about the Veterinary Technology program.

Vet Tech FAQ

How long does it take to become a vet tech?

Training can be completed in as few as it takes about 18 months.

Do I need to be certified as a vet tech?

It depends on the state or location in which you work.

Where can I work as a vet tech?

You can work in private clinics, laboratories, animal hospitals, educational institutions, humane societies, zoos, and farms.