Veterinary Technology - Northwestern, AS (VETT-AS-NW)

The CT State - Nortwestern Connecticut Campus Veterinary Technology Program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA CVTEA) as a program for educating veterinary technicians. Successful degree completion prepares students for immediate employment in veterinary practices, biomedical research, zoo/wildlife medicine, industry, military, livestock health management, and pharmaceutical sales. Through classroom, laboratory, and field experience students are prepared for entry-level positions in the veterinary/animal fields, with a special focus on companion animal medicine and practice. Graduates are able to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). VTNE preparation and job placement assistance are provided.

Learning Outcomes:

• Sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam.
• Demonstrate skills and knowledge of domestic animals including normal values for temperature, pulse, and respiration; conduct a thorough and accurate physical examination including the proper use of the stethoscope; and restrain animals for physical examination and veterinary techniques.
• Perform animal nursing and critical care for all common domestic animals including: restraint, administering medications, diagnostic sampling for laboratory evaluation, maintaining fluid therapy, applying and removing bandages and splints, and applying established emergency protocols.
• Assist with animal surgery including knowledge of routine procedures and operating room equipment; prepare the patient, veterinary personnel, and equipment for sterile surgical procedures; and function effectively as a surgical assistant to the veterinary surgeon during surgical procedures.
• Induce, stabilize, monitor, and maintain anesthesia under supervision of the veterinarian; recognize and report anesthetic emergencies; and apply resuscitation techniques and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Assist with diagnostic imaging including radiography and ultrasound; produce and evaluate radiographs to provide diagnostic images for veterinary interpretation and diagnosis; and properly clean and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment.
• Perform common laboratory procedures: hematologic examinations, blood chemistries, urinalysis, parasitic examinations, cytological procedures, microbiological procedures, and necropsy.
• Provide competent assistance with office procedures: telephone contacts, scheduling appointments, admitting and discharging patients, maintaining medical and financial records, and establishing and maintaining a clean and orderly veterinary facility.
• Communicate with the public, clients, and colleagues through both verbal and written communication skills, including effective listening.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the common medicines used in veterinary medicine including: types and groups of drugs; indications, contraindications and side effects; labeling and packaging of dispensed drugs; using weights and measures correctly; calculating dosages; and safely storing, handling, and disposing of controlled substances, biologics, therapeutic agents, and hazardous wastes.
• Differentiate between normal and abnormal patient responses to medication.
• Understand basic knowledge of animal health and husbandry, and common diseases and disease processes for all common domestic animals.
• Demonstrate skills and knowledge associated with the use of common laboratory animals including basic principles of animal research and local, state, and federal animal welfare regulations.
• Demonstrate skills and knowledge associated with cleaning, sanitizing, and sterilizing equipment and facilities, including knowledge of products, equipment, procedures, and techniques routinely used in reducing, eliminating, or preventing contamination of the animal-care institutions.

The CT State Community College Veterinary Technology programs are campus-specific programs with selective admissions. The programmatic accrediting body, Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities, requires campus-specific accreditations and all program-required VET courses must be completed at the campus of admittance as each program provides students with clinical experiences unique to their campus location. All prerequisite courses and general education (non-VET) post-admittance courses can be completed at any campus of CT State Community College.

The Veterinary Technology programs have enrollment caps and selective admission. The Veterinary Technology programs have the following application requirements:

• Completion of the following prerequisite courses (all with a grade of C or better): ENG 1010 , MATH 1010  or higher, BIO 1210 , CHEM 1110 . The biology and chemistry must have been completed within five years prior to the application deadline.
• Two letters of recommendation. One each from a teacher (academic) and supervisor (professional).
• Personal statement/essay stating the applicant’s goals & reasons for program entry.
• Preference is given to students with a GPA of 2.7 or higher.
• Interview with Veterinary Technology admissions committee. Not all eligible students will be selected for an interview.

Given the selective nature of the admissions process, admission cannot be guaranteed. Detailed information regarding selective admission events and deadlines is available on the CT State Selective Admissions Webpage.