Under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian, a veterinary technician performs a variety of medical tests, procedures, and provide care to domestic, farm and other animals. The tests performed by a veterinarian technician assists a veterinarian with diagnosing an animal’s medical condition. While the animal is in their care, veterinary technicians contribute to the daily grooming of the animal and needs. Administering, vaccines, anesthesia and other medicines to the animal is also in the job description of a veterinary technician. If surgery is required, a veterinary technician participates in preparing an animal for the procedure and may even have to assist the veterinarian by holding the animal down during the procedure.

In order to seek employment as a veterinary technician, education from an accredited vet technician program must be completed and depending on the state where practice is desired registration, certification, or licensure may be required as well. Here’s what a veterinary technician programs offers:

1. Flexible online education
Conveniently, the veterinary technician program is offered through various online schools. An associate degree must be obtained in order to move forward in the field. Many schools online, offer veterinary technician associate programs that can take up to 18 or 24 months. On the other hand, self-paced online vet tech courses are also available depending on the school chosen.

2. Specific courses
Online veterinary technician programs offer not only convenience for the student but also courses that focus on the program as well as courses that can contribute to obtaining a bachelor’s degree. Some of these courses vary depending on the school of choice, but often include medical terminology, surgical technology, and pharmacy technology. Because the program is an associate’s program, vet courses will also include courses that provide credits that can be used to continue with education beyond the associate level.

3. Testing
Universities, colleges, junior colleges and vocational schools offer vet tech courses that can be taken online. Furthermore, many of these same schools offer full programs online for students to complete. Some testing may be required on campus grounds and some testing required by the school can be achieved either at home or at a remote testing site. The veterinary technician program is just one of the many programs offered online by these schools despite having a ground campus.

4. Hands on training
Regardless of receiving education online, hands on training can still be accomplished through the externships/internships provided by some of these online schools. It is important to research the online veterinary technician programs just to verify if this opportunity is included with the school chosen. The program prepares the student to not only obtain an associate degree, but take the exam necessary to become a veterinary technician. Once the proper credentials are required, a new graduate will be qualified to gain employment in the veterinary field.