Veterinary Technology
Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you love animals and enjoy working with your hands, then the challenging career of Veterinary Technology may be just right for you.
Tanya Niles, program director
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A Career in Veterinary Technology
Designed to be a five-semester program that starts in the fall of each year, Piedmont Technical College’s AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology program prepares graduates to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination to become fully licensed veterinary technicians.
Based in Newberry, SC, PTC’s program is the only one of its kind in the central region of South Carolina, and one of only three programs statewide.
Special Application Requirements
The Veterinary Technology program has special program admission criteria which must be completed prior to applying for the clinical phase of the program. A student may be admitted to the college at any time in order to complete prerequisite and general education coursework.
What Will I Do as a Veterinary Technician?
Veterinary technicians are important members of the veterinary health care team; they are educated in the care and handling of animals, the basic principles of normal and abnormal life processes, and in routine laboratory and clinical procedures. All veterinary technicians work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
You’ll work with the local animal shelter in Newberry County to learn all the different breeds as well as behaviors that different animals experience. For the large animal medicine classes, you’ll visit local farms to get hands-on experience with dairy cattle as well as horses and other common large animal species like goats and sheep.
Some Job Duties May Include:
- Observe the behavior and condition of animals
- Provide nursing care or emergency first aid to recovering or injured animals
- Bathe animals, clip nails or claws, and brush or cut animals’ hair
- Restrain animals during exams or procedures
- Administer anesthesia to animals and monitor their responses
- Take x-rays and collect and perform laboratory tests, such as urinalyses and blood counts
- Prepare animals and instruments for surgery
- Administer medications, vaccines, and treatments prescribed by a veterinarian
- Collect and record animals’ case histories
Career Quick Facts
- Career Outlook
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- Median Salary Average: $31,420
- SC Salary Range: $21,610-$40,670
- 100% placement rate for 2020-2021 graduates
Salary and career information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Entry Level Positions
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- Veterinary Technologist
- Veterinary Technician
- Employers
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Veterinary Technology graduates are in high demand, and PTC's coordinators regularly get calls from veterinary practices all over the region asking about students who are scheduled to graduate soon.
Most graduates work in small animal private practice or specialty practice, but others work in research setting. Some recent graduates have found work at:
- Anderson Animal Hospital
- Angel Oak Animal Hospital
- Animal Emergency Clinic
- Batesburg-Leesville Animal Services
- Birchwood Veterinary Hospital
- Carolina Veterinary Specialist
- Chinquapin Animal Hospital
- Clinton Animal Hospital
- Cornerstone Veterinary Care
- Creature Comforts
- Dutch Fork Animal Hospital
- Emerald City Animal Hospital, SC
- Foothills Veterinary Hospital
- Fountain Inn Animal Clinic
- Four Paws Animal Clinic
- Grace Animal Hospital - Lexington, SC
- Lake Murray Animal Hospital
- Lexington Animal Clinic
- Mid Carolina Animal Hospital
- Midlands Veterinary Specialists
- Newberry Animal Hospital
- PetCare of Newberry
- Pine Street Animal Hospital
- Reidville Road Animal Hospital
- Ridge Haven Equine
- Seven Oaks Animal Hospital
- Silver Bluff Animal Hospital
- Simpsonville Animal Hospital
- South Carolina Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Care
- Southern Equine Services
- Spartanburg Animal Clinic
- Sunset Animal Clinic
- Twin Oaks Animal Hospital
- Upstate Veterinary Specialists
- VCA Animal Specialty of SC
- USC Lab Animal Facility
- Verdin Veterinary Specialist
- Veterinary Healthcare Associates
Virtual Tour
Program Information
The Veterinary Technology program at Piedmont Technical College serves a need for qualified veterinary technicians in the mid-state area. Because the Veterinary Technology curriculum is technical, hands-on skills are greatly emphasized in order to teach students the best practices in working with animals.
In order to become a credentialed veterinary technician, you must graduate from an AVMA-accredited program in order to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).