How to Become a Vet Tech in Ohio - OH| Veterinary Technician Schools and Job Description

Ohio holds high standards to become a Registered Veterinary Technician qualified to work in the state. Ohio has the schools and veterinary practices to ensure your career as a Veterinary Technician is a success. Whatever animal medicine specialty you pursue, there are many resources in Ohio to assist you.

Veterinary Technician Salary in Ohio

Vet techs in Ohio make an average annual salary of $29,400 compared to the national average salary of $30,580. The mean hourly wage of a vet tech in the United States is $14.70. In Ohio, it is $14.13 per hour. Veterinary Technicians in Ohio earn a slightly smaller salary than the overall national average. The range in salaries for Veterinary Technicians in Ohio is $18,000 to $50,000 per year

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Employment Prospects for Vet-Techs in Ohio

Employment opportunities for veterinary technicians in Ohio are projected to grow 30 percent nationally from 2012 to 2022.

Registered Veterinary Technicians can find employment in a variety of capacities such as medical specialty clinics, rescue shelters, exotic animal rescue and rehabilitation facilities, teaching colleges, research laboratories, non-profit organizations, and in the military and government.

New jobs will also become available in small pet animal clinics in urban settings to large animal practices on ranches and farms and everything in between.

What Veterinary Technicians do in Ohio

Under the supervision of a licensed Veterinarian, your tasks as a Licensed Veteran Technician may include, among others:

providing treatment for routine problems
recording temperature, pulse and respiration

recording animal patient’s, medical history

assisting the veterinarian with physical exams

preparing animals and equipment for surgery
assisting with surgeries and other medical procedures

performing anesthesia

collecting blood, urine or stool samples
processing laboratory tests
developing radiographs and x-rays

administration of medications
dressing wounds
operating electrocardiographic equipment
sterilizing laboratory and surgical equipment
vaccinating animals
observing the habits and condition of animals
providing nursing and/or emergency care for recuperating or hurt animals

Important Characteristics to Become a Veterinary Technician

Communication skills – Veterinary technologists and technicians spend a significant quantity of their time interacting with supervisors, animal owners, and other staff. In addition, a growing variety of technicians counsel animal owners on animal habits and nutrition.

Empathy – Veterinary technologists and technicians must deal with animals with kindness and have to be sensitive when dealing with the owners of unwell pets.

Information oriented – Veterinary technologists and technicians should focus on information and be exact when recording information, performing diagnostic tests, and administering medication.

Manual dexterity – Veterinary technologists and technicians must deal with animals, medical instruments, and lab equipment with care. They likewise do detailed jobs, such as dental work, offering anesthesia, and taking x rays, which need a steady hand.

Analytical skills – Veterinary technologists and technicians need strong analytical abilities in order to identify injuries and ailments and provide the proper therapy.

Accredited Ohio Veterinary Technician Programs

There are thirteen accredited Veterinary Technician programs in Ohio. The coursework is centered on the fundamentals of handling animals for medical procedures, nursing and rehabilitation care. You will also be able to assist the Veterinarian with medical and surgical procedures, run labs, set up vaccines, perform imaging and x ray procedures in addition to many other tasks.

(Click here to see: Accredited Ohio Vet Tech Programs.)

General Veterinary Technician Coursework

Animal Anatomy
The course focuses on the anatomical structure of animals that are treated in a veterinary setting. Programs may put more emphasis on a particular kind of animal, such as dogs

Laboratory Animal Health and Medicine

Students learn the proper procedures for working with animals in a laboratory environment. Diseases and healthcare issues related to animals commonly used in labs are covered.

Animal Pharmacology

This course covers the use of veterinary drugs in the treatment of animal diseases or conditions. Students also discover how animals’ bodies respond to a drug internally.

Small Animal Care
Students learn about the behaviors and proper veterinary care of small animals. This is particularly focused on companion animals typically treated in a veterinary facility, including dogs and cats.

Large Animal Care

The coursework is focused on large animals’ physiological processes and health management. Students learn about livestock animals in particular.

The Vet Tech can also specialize in:

Zoological and Exotic Animal Medicine

Internal Medicine

Dental Technician

Equine Medicine

Behavior Modification

American Association of Zoo Keepers
Emergency and critical care nursing

Surgery and Anesthetist

For more information you can refer to these resources:

Veterinary Technician Licensing Requirements in Ohio

You must be a graduate from an approved, accredited school of animal technology to become a Registered Veterinary Technician in the State of Ohio.

You must submit all requirements with the exception of the background checks with your application.

The Ohio Board may issue a Registered Veterinary Technician Certificate if the following requirements are met:

You must attach a recent photograph to your application (print your name and DOB on back of photo).
You must be a graduate from an approved, accredited school of animal technology and the Ohio Board must receive an official copy of your transcript in a SEALED envelope with your application.
You must pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and have your passing scores transferred to the Ohio Board. If you took the test in Ohio within the last 3 years the board will already have a copy of your score.
Submit the registration fee: odd numbered years = $35.00; in even numbered years = $25.00. You must include your full name on your check or money order to avoid having your application returned to you. Do NOT send cash or credit card information. Please keep a record of this payment the Ohio Board does NOT provide a receipt of payment.
You must complete both an Ohio criminal background check and an FBI criminal background check, conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The results must be forwarded to the Ohio Board directly from BCI.

http://ovmlb.ohio.gov/rvtreq.stm

Continuing Education in Ohio

In order to renew your license to as a registered Veterinary Technician in Ohio you must complete ten hours of board approved continuing education. Six hours must be scientific and directly related to the practice of veterinary medicine. No more than four hours may be in related areas such as practice management.

Continuing education hours in Ohio may also include alternative therapies, practice management, public relations and personal growth.

Finding Career Opportunities as an Ohio Vet-Tech

Your school will have assistance available to you while looking for a job. Also, the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CACVT) has an active job posting page separated into geographic regions.

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), an organization that represents and promotes the profession of veterinary technician, has a resources in their website’s Career Center page.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) also has a job board for licensed Vet Techs.

Potential Employers in Ohio for Registered Veterinary Technicians

Animal Care Unlimited (Columbus)
Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center (Columbus)
Wee Care Pet Services (Lancaster)
All Creatures Veterinary Clinic (Rittman)
Cryan Veterinary Hospital (Westerville)
Delaware Animal Clinic (Delaware)
Spay Neuter Clinic (Cleveland)
PetPlex Animal Hospital (Buckeye Lake)
Dogwood Veterinary Emergency & Referral Center (Maumee)

Steps to Become a Veterinary Technician in Ohio