Veterinary Technology (VET)
Type: Career, Degree (AAS)
Special admissions requirement
Division: STEM and Business
This two year Associate of Applied Science Degree Program trains the student to work in a clinical veterinary setting. Graduates of the program are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals, as well as being qualified for positions in research facilities. The curriculum is also designed to prepare the student to successfully complete the National Veterinary Technician Certification Exam. The emphasis of this program is on the health and care of small domestic animals (dogs and cats).
This program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Information about the AVMA can be obtained at www.avma.org.
Students interested in participating in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly, or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship, or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider, may be required to undergo criminal background checks, including a national as well as local check (i.e. Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Record Information (SORI)). Depending on the contents of these criminal background check(s), a student's participation in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider may not be allowed, and therefore may impact a student's ability to complete program requirements. Furthermore, please note that eligibility to participate in the program and/or clinical affiliation, internship or field placement as a result of screening requirements, such as criminal background checks, is not a guarantee of eligibility to sit for professional credentialing examination(s) or employment upon graduation.
If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.
First Year
Fall
| ANS102 | Canine & Feline Behavior | 3 |
| VET122 | Breed Predisposition and Inheritance | 2 |
| ANS107 | Medical Terminology for Animal Science 1 | 1 |
| MAT134 | Mathematics for Veterinary Technology | 3 |
| CMP101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| VET102 | Veterinary Parasitology | 2 |
| VET104 | Veterinary Hospital Procedures | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring
| ANS108 | Medical Terminology for Animal Science 2 | 1 |
| ANS112 | Ethics and Law for Pet Care Professionals | 2 |
| CMP102-150 | Composition 2 Elective | 3 |
| VET106 | Surgical Nursing and Anesthesia 1 | 4 |
| VET107 | Surgical Nursing & Anesthesia 2 | 1 |
| VET108 | Basic Clinical Laboratory Procedures | 3 |
| VET219 | Theriogenology | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Summer
| VET120 | Veterinary Technology Summer Work Experience | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Second Year
Fall
| ANS110 | Canine and Feline Nutrition | 2 |
| BIO207 | Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals 1 | 4 |
| BIO214 | Microbiology | 4 |
| VET203 | Animal Disease 1 | 3 |
| VET212 | Veterinary Office Management | 2 |
| VET222 | Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Spring
| BIO208 | Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals 2 | 4 |
| VET204 | Animal Diseases 2 | 3 |
| VET216 | Veterinary Pharmacology | 3 |
| VET220 | Large Animal and Equine Science | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Requirement Notes
The following courses require a grade of ’C’ or better to meet prerequisite and graduation requirements.
ANS102, VET122, ANS107, ANS108, ANS110, ANS112, VET102, VET104, VET106, VET107, VET108, VET120, VET203, VET204, VET212, VET216, VET219, VET220, VET222
Program Note
Communication and Mathematics proficiency required to graduate.
See guided pathway sheets for advising information specific to your area of focus.
Total Credit Hours: 64
Program Student Learner Outcomes
- Demonstrate professionalism through personal conduct and autonomy consistent with the standards of the Veterinary Profession.
- Demonstrate proficiency in office procedures, hospital procedures and client relations, communicating in a professional manner in all formats.
- Demonstrate understanding and proficiency of the pharmacologic aspects of medications, including but not limited to the safe and effective administration of prescribed drugs to patients as well as the accurate dispensing and explanation of prescribed drugs to clients.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the nursing care of a variety of animal species, including but not limited to areas of husbandry, nutrition, preventative care, animal behavior, and public health.
- Able to safely and effectively manage patients in all phases of anesthetic procedures and the post op period for a variety of surgical procedures, including spays, neuters, and dental prophylaxis.
- Demonstrate proficiency of the Essential Skills task list developed by the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators.
- Demonstrate and perform patient assessment techniques in a variety of animal species and under various circumstances.
Occupational Skills Required
- Lift up to 50 pounds to assist moving patients
- Stoop to adjust equipment and clean cages
- Kneel to perform CPR
- Crouch to locate and plug in electrical equipment
- to safely move animals in and out of cages"
- Reach 5½' above the floor to move animals in upper level cages
- Handle strong, sometimes aggressive large and small animals
- small and large equipment for storing, retrieving and moving
- Grasp syringes, laryngoscope, endotracheal tubes
- Stand for prolonged periods of time (e.g., deliver therapy, check equipment)
- Feel to palpate pulses, arteries for puncture, skin temperature
- Push/Pull large, wheeled equipment. e.g., mechanical ventilators, anesthesia machines
- Walk for extended periods of time to all areas of a hospital
- Manipulate knobs, dials associated with diagnostic/therapeutic devices and large, sometimes uncooperative dogs and cats
- Hear verbal directions, animal sounds of distress, and gas flow through equipment
- Hear through a stethoscope breath or heart sounds
- See patient conditions such as skin color, work of breathing, mist flowing through tubing and shapes and forms associated with radiographs
- Communicate in English goals/procedures to patients and clients
- Read typed, handwritten, computer information in English
- Communicate in writing pertinent information (e.g., patient evaluation data, therapy outcomes) regarding patient status
- Function safely, effectively, and calmly under stressful situations.
- Maintain composure while managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Prioritize multiple tasks.
- Exhibit social skills necessary to interact effectively with patients, clients, supervisors, and co-workers of the same or different cultures such as respect, politeness, tact, collaboration, teamwork, discretion.
- Maintain personal hygiene consistent with close personal contact associated with patient care.
- Display attitudes/actions consistent with the ethical standards of the profession.
Experiential Learning Required in Program
- VET120 - Veterinary Technology Summer Work Experience
- VET104 - Veterinary Hospital Procedures
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – Associate’s or Less