Veterinary technology program in Kentucky extends application deadline

Photo: Mdv Edwards/Adobe Stock

The Veterinary Technology (Vet Tech) program at Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) in Owensboro, Kentucky has extended its application deadline to August 1, 2024. Graduates of the Vet Tech program have obtained positions in a wide range of settings, such as general practices, specialty clinics, the University of Florida, animal shelters, and animal rescues, according to a news release.¹

Last fall, the Vet Tech program celebrated its 10-year anniversary. The program was first accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) in January 2015,² and is the only fully accredited 2-year program in Kentucky.¹

The program prepares graduates to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE),¹ an exam aimed at assessing the competence of entry-level veterinary technicians and qualifying them for credentialing.³ The Vet Tech program’s curriculum covers a vast array of subjects, including office and hospital procedures, client relations and communication, anatomy, physiology, parasitology, microbiology, clinical techniques, pharmacology, anesthesiology, surgical and medical nursing, radiology, and clinical pathology. The program also provides practical clinical and laboratory experiences to cultivate the skills necessary for success as a professional in the field, according to the release.

“Veterinary technicians are the backbone of our industry, aiding veterinarians in providing quality, compassionate care for our patients,” Laura Boarman, DVM, OCTC Vet Tech program director said in the news release.¹ “At OCTC, it is our mission to produce highly trained technicians who will continue to advance the profession and the level of care provided to the animals in our community. As an educator, it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of that mission.”

The employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to grow by 21% from 2022 to 2032, which is significantly faster than the average growth rate for all occupations, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.⁴ Moreover, there are expected to be around 14,800 job openings annually, on average, for veterinary technologists and technicians over the next 10 years.⁴

OCTC’s Vet Tech program is selective in its admission process and has a limited number of seats available annually, according to the news release. Additionally, it has the lowest tuition in Kentucky.⁵ It will be hosting pre-admission conferences on September 24, 2024, and March 25, 2025, in OCTC’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.⁵

References

1. Richardson R. OCTC Veterinary Technology program extends admission application deadline. The Owensboro Times. July 14, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://www.owensborotimes.com/news/2024/07/octc-veterinary-technology-program-extends-admission-application-deadline/ 
2. Veterinary technology programs accredited by the AVMA CVTEA. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://www.avma.org/education/center-for-veterinary-accreditation/veterinary-technology-programs-accredited-avma-cvtea#kentucky
3. What is the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)? VetTechPrep. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://www.vettechprep.com/vtne.jsp#:~:text=The%20Veterinary%20Technician%20National%20Examination%20(VTNE)%20is%20an%20examination%20designed,practice%20and%20to%20become%20credentialed.
4. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. April 17, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-technologists-and-technicians.htm
5. Veterinary Technology. Owensboro Community & Technical College. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://owensboro.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/veterinary-technology.aspx