How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Oklahoma

Veterinary Technician Job Description

When we think about vet techs, we consider that his/her job is just working with animals.

However, we forget that part of his/her daily duties is to work with pets’ owners and be helpful, which is an even more difficult task in those moments of fear and concern.

The vet tech education prepares students to fill the role of the nurse to the animals in the facility and its duties include assisting in or preparing animals for surgery, drawing blood, performing laboratory tests, taking x-rays, doing dental procedures, animal restraint, and animal intake and discharge.

Most vet techs look for a job in private practice, research facilities, veterinary teaching hospitals, zoos/exotic animal care, rescue and humane organizations, and military service just to mention a few.

Accredited OklahomaVeterinary Technology Programs

In Oklahoma, there were three AVMA-accredited programs which you can choose from and they are the following:

Murray State College (MSC) located in Tishomingo features an associate of applied science (AAS) in veterinary technology.

Students will attend courses including veterinary medical terminology; anesthesia and surgical nursing; wild, zoo, and laboratory animals; physiology of domestic animals; pharmacology for veterinary technicians; diseases of domestic animals; etc.

Tulsa Community College-West Campus (TCC) also offers an AVMA-accredited AAS degree in veterinary technology.

The program consists of coursework in anatomy & physiology; clinical calculations for vet techs; principles of small animal care; clinical pathology on one hand and the completion of lab work and a practicum during the summer between their first and second year om the other.

This is the case if you enroll in the two-year full-time plan.

You can also select a 3-year part-time plan with the practicum placed in summer between semesters.

The last school offering accredited vet tech programs is Oklahoma State University.

There, students can get an AAS in veterinary technology with didactic classes such as radiology; breeds, restraint, and first aid; animal pathology; pharmacology; animal reproduction, nutrition & production; VT radiology; and wild, zoo & lab animal care.

Furthermore, students are supposed to complete a preceptorship of a minimum of 320 clock-hours of training under supervision.

The program’s whole curriculum is created so as to consist of 69 credit hours and takes about 3 years to complete.

Besides on-campus programs, there are accredited online vet tech programs, as well.

Oklahoma future vet techs who live in more rural regions of the state or have personal obligations that do not allow them to attend an on-campus program, there are eight CVTEA-accredited online programs offered by schools across the country.

One of them is Purdue University which offers a distance-based associate program in veterinary technology which consists of 27 didactic courses in subjects such as anatomy; physiology; small animal nursing & health management; imaging for veterinary technicians; introduction to ophthalmology, dermatology & oncology; etc.

Penn Foster College also provides an online associate program in veterinary technology.

The reason why Penn Foster is so attractive to young learners is that it offers one of the more affordable programs at $79 per credit.

If you are interested in what you will study once you enroll in one of the above-mentioned programs, we have to say that the core curriculum is heavily science-based and hands-on labs accompany some classes.

Also, during the final semester, you will be placed in a preceptorship or internship in a facility where animals require veterinary care so as to apply your knowledge to the care and treatment of animals in a real-life veterinary setting.

Requirements to Become a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Oklahoma

According to the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act, there are some set rules and requirements for aspiring veterinary technicians.

In this state, so as to be able to work as a vet tech, you must graduate from a two- to four-year college program accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), the main program approval entity of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

However, not everyone will be accepted into this program.

To get enrolled, you will need to meet the requirements set by admissions committees of each school offering this program.

Typically, the school requires the submission of official secondary school transcripts with proof of having completed specific courses such as algebra, biology, chemistry, proof of vaccinations and/or health insurance, a personal statement, and an application fee.

If your choice is a more competitive program, you might be asked to provide letters of recommendation, experience working in a veterinary healthcare setting, or test scores.

Job Prospects and Veterinary Technicians’ Average Annual Salary in Oklahoma

The career outlook for vet techs in Oklahoma is very similar to the situation in the whole USA.

It is very bright having in mind the fact that they can become employed in a wide range of environments including animal hospitals, clinics, zoos, aquariums, public policy organizations, humane societies, kennels, universities, biomedical research facilities, farms, rescue centers, and more.

The Oklahoma Veterinary Technician Association (OVTA) is there to support these young people by providing an active job posting list with job opportunities.

Once you become certified, you can look for jobs at places such as the Pet Medical Center, Perkins Veterinary Clinic, Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital & Pet Resort, Animal Eye Clinic, Oklahoma State University—OKC, McKinney Animal Hospital, Greystone Pet Hospital, Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists, and Edmond East Animal Hospital, and many more.

Which place you start working for will determine your salary, as well as the duties you will have during the day.

The average salary of vet techs in Oklahoma is $32350, but still, have in mind that it can range from $27223 to even $38440.

Regional Salary in Oklahoma

Veterinary Technicians by State