Welcome
Welcome to Ogeechee Technical College’s Veterinary Technology Program. The Veterinary Technology Program is a comprehensive, technical training program for veterinary technicians. This handbook provides students with essential information about the educational and behavioral performance requirements expected of individuals entering the animal health profession. To ensure safe practice, the veterinary technology program maintains specific policies and procedures, in addition to those already established by the College. It is the responsibility of the student to be familiar with and abide by the policies contained in this handbook, as well as those within the College Catalog.
The program offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Veterinary Technology, a Veterinary Technician Assistant Certificate (TCC), and a Veterinary Technology Sonography Certificate (TCC).
The Veterinary Technology AAS degree is designed to prepare students to work as a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). Students completing the program will have technical skills and competencies to assist veterinarians in industrial, commercial, and research settings, pharmaceutical companies, and animal handling retail businesses.
Veterinary Assistants are a valuable part of the veterinary health care team who assist both veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Although the certificate program does not qualify the student to be eligible to sit for the state board examination, it can be used as a stepping-stone for the Veterinary Technology AAS degree, as all courses are directly applicable. Students are awarded the veterinary technician certificate after successful completion of the first three semesters of the program.
The Veterinary Technology Sonography Certificate is designed to provide the skills needed for a veterinary technician to produce diagnostic sonographic images of the small animal, which will extend the abilities of a veterinarian to provide advanced diagnostics to patients. This certificate is available to students enrolled in the AAS degree program who have completed the first three semesters of the program.
Students completing the AAS degree are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) to become a credentialed veterinary technician. Veterinary technicians are educated and trained to support veterinarians in surgical assisting, laboratory procedures, radiography, anesthesiology, prescribed treatment and nursing, and client education.
The Veterinary Technology Program is fully accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), with initial accreditation being awarded in 2005.