How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Indiana

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With the increase in pet ownership in Indiana, there’s an increased demand for veterinary technicians as well.

If you love animals and want them to be healthy, perhaps you can consider becoming a vet tech in this state!

This article is here to guide you through the process, and if you feel you need more help we have you covered at the end of it!

Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in Indiana

Licensed veterinarians usually supervise the work of vet technicians.

The former usually task the latter with:

  • Administering medications
  • Taking x-rays,
  • Processing tissue samples,
  • Assisting in surgery and emergency care
  • Performing lab tests
  • Teeth cleaning,
  • Electrocardiography,
  • Bandaging,
  • Wound cleaning,
  • Maintaining detailed and accurate records of meds, supplies, patients

Veterinary techs aren’t allowed to perform surgeries nor to prescribe medications to ill animals.

Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in Indiana

In Indiana, to work as a vet tech, you first have to earn a certification from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA).

However, before you can do that, you have to complete your education and earn one of the following degrees:

  • Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology
  • Bachelor’s of Science  in Veterinary Technology

These degrees need to be issued after you complete an accredited educational program, at one of the schools below.

Top 7 Schools in Indiana

School NameAddress
Brown Mackie College3000 E.Coliseum Blvd., Suite 100, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805
Brown Mackie College325 E US Hwy 20, Michigan City, Indiana 46360-7362
Brown Mackie College3454 Douglas Rd., South Bend, Indiana 46635
Harrison College550 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2611
International Business College5699 Coventry Lane, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804-7145
International Business College7205 Shadeland Station, Indianapolis, Indiana 46256-3954
Purdue University-Main CampusHovde Hall of Administration, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2040

The accreditation comes from the American Veterinary Medical Association

Your training will take either 2 or 4 years, depending on the degree you pursue.

Keep in mind that all the courses have a mandatory practice part that has to be done in an approved location.

There are different requirements to meet when enrolling in a program, as each school is different.

These are some of the most common:

  • Being over 18 years old
  • A high school diploma or GED
  • Completion of these classes before the start of the first year:
    • Biology
    • English composition
    • Math
    • Basic computer science
    • Psychology,
    • Humanities,
    • Public speaking
  • 2 letters of recommendation, preferably from a veterinarian
  • Have health insurance
  • Buy a medical malpractice policy
  • Pass an interview
  • TB test
  • Rabies vaccine

Your studies will cover these topics:

  • Introduction to veterinary technology
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Emergency care and first aid
  • Pathology
  • Anesthesiology
  • Radiology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology
  • Parasitology
  • Toxicology
  • Nutrition

Most of the subjects require the completion of at least 20 hours of practice, each.

It’s not common for the tuition to cover textbooks and other needed materials.

However, grants and scholarships are available in Indiana, to help you pay for your education.

Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Indiana

As mentioned already, you need a certification from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA).

There are a variety of documents to provide and fees to pay:

  • Official school transcripts
  • Passing a background check
  • Passing the Veterinary Technology National Examination (VTNE)
  • Passing the jurisprudence exam

For the VTNE you must pay $300, and you have to answer 150 questions in 3 hours.

All the above documents have to accompany an application form and the license fee.

Once you earn your license, you must keep it current by completing 16 hours of continuing education.

The renewal period in Indiana is two years.

Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in Indiana

Few people start working in a field without a better understanding of their future work environment.

Veterinary technicians work in this type of facilities:

  • Private clinical practices
  • Zoos
  • Veterinary teaching hospitals
  • Rescue centers
  • Wildlife or exotic animal rehabilitation centers
  • Humane societies,
  • Research facilities,
  • Feedlots,
  • Pharmaceutical companies

This is a brief list of good vet techs employers in Indiana:

  • Animal Emergency Clinic, Mishawaka
  • Vale Park Animal Hospital, Valparaiso
  • Humane Society of Indianapolis, Indianapolis
  • Farmstead Veterinary Services, Bloomington

There are many factors that influence how much you’ll earn, such as your experience and your location.

Annual Salary Range:
$30K
$36K
$43K

Average Salary of Veterinary Technicians in Indiana

City NameSalary
Indianapolis$36,061
Fort Wayne$34,575
Evansville$35,030
South Bend$34,946
Gary$37,311
Hammond$37,311
Bloomington$34,139
Muncie$34,186
Anderson$34,319
Terre Haute$34,027
* Salary information last updated 2024

Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in Indiana

the website of these organizations can help you with further information and updates:

  • Indiana Veterinary Medical Association
  • Indiana Veterinary Technician Association
  • National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
  • Veterinary Career Network
  • Vetcetera
  • Vet Tech Life
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