How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Louisiana

Since the demand for veterinary technicians is on the rise in Louisiana, you might be interested in this career option.

Read on to find out what you need to do to become a vet tech in Louisiana!

Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in Louisiana

Licensed veterinarians oversee the work of vet technicians.

Vets also assign a variety of tasks to these techs.

Here are the more common tasks and duties of a veterinary technician:

• 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, and patients

The only procedures you cannot perform as a vet tech are surgeries and prescribing meds.

Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in Louisiana

The Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine (LBVM) requires veterinary technicians to obtain a license before start working.

Before you can earn your credential, you have to first earn a degree in Veterinary Technology.

This degree can be either an Associate’s of Applied Science or a Bachelors of Science.

The Associate’s degree lasts for about 2 years and the Bachelor’s for around 4 years.

When you start considering where can you enroll, pay attention to the accreditation of the program!

The American Veterinary Medical Association must accredit it or else you won’t be able to become licensed.

You should also expect to have to complete some 20 hours per subject, in an approved practice location, such as a veterinary clinic.

The last semester is usually dedicated to a proctorship, to help you learn the ins and outs of your future job.

Below you can see the schools offering such programs in Louisiana.

Of course, you’ll have to meet some enrollment requirements as well, most commonly:

• Having a high school diploma or GED
• Showing the ACT or SAT scores
• Passing the COMPASS test
• 2 letters of recommendation
  • One of them must come from a veterinarian
• Having health insurance
• Buying a policy for medical malpractice
• Passing an interview
• Tetanus immunizations
• Rabies pre-exposure vaccine

For most programs you’ll have to attend these classes before your first year:

• English
• Math
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Communication
• Basic computer skills

These classes are the basic knowledge all students need.

Here’s a brief look at the subjects you can expect to learn more about, once you’re accepted:

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

The tuition can be quite high, and the books are rarely included.

Loans, grants, and scholarships are just some of the ways in which you can cover at least part of the tuition.

Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Louisiana

The Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners (KBVE) expects you to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

Only after you can get your license.

You’ll need a series of papers to sign up for the exam:

• An application form
• Official school transcripts
• Two reference letters for out-of-state candidates
• To pay some fees
  • $300 for the exam
  • $100 for the license

You’ll have 3 hours to correctly answer at least 70% of the 150 questions the VTNE has.

In this state, you’re expected to complete 10 hours of continuing education every year to keep your license current.

Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in Louisiana

It’s good to know where you could find employment once you graduate and become licensed.

Jobs in this field are offered by:

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

Vet techs in Louisiana can apply to these facilities if they want to work for the best companies in the field:

• Town and Country Veterinary Clinic, Lafayette
• Audubon Nature Institute, New Orleans
• Tulane University – Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington
• Baton Rouge Pet Emergency Hospital, Baton Rouge
• Louisiana SPCA, New Orleans

Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in Louisiana

These organizations have the best resources for those working as veterinary technicians in Lousiana:

• Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association
• Louisiana Association of Veterinary Technicians
• Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine
• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
• Veterinary Career Network
• Vet Tech Life
• Vetcetera