How to Become a Veterinary Technician in North Dakota

If you want to become a veterinary technician in North Dakota, read this guide!

For this position you don’t only need to love animals, ut also to meet some requirements that not many are aware of.

Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in North Dakota

Vet techs receive tasks from a licensed veterinarian, and also have to complete a series of duties.

These tasks and duties include:

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

Only licensed veterinarians can perform surgeries and decide on a treatment plan.

Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in North Dakota

Across the US, some states require vet techs to e licensed and the others do not.

North Dakota is one of the states in which a license is mandatory for these professionals.

Yet, a degree is mandatory before you obtain the certification for this occupation.

For this, you must enroll in a training program with accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

You can obtain either an Associate’s degree in about 2 years of study or a Bachelor’s degree after 4 years of study.

The degree has to be in Applied Science for the Veterinary Technology specialization.

All these programs have a mandatory period of field training in an approved location.

It is pretty common for the students to take care of this aspect of their studies.

There is only one school in North Dakota that offers such a program.

Students can also enroll in online training programs at universities from other states.

It’s also possible to attend unaccredited programs and then transferring to an accredited program.

Enrollment requirements are the norm, and these are the most common for a veterinary program:

• Being 18 years old
• Having a high school diploma or GED
• Completing these classes right before enrolling in the degree program: biology, English composition, math, basic computer science, psychology, humanities, and public speaking
  • You need grades of at least “C.”
• An essay
• 2 letters of recommendation
  • One of them must come from a veterinarian
• Health insurance
• Passing an interview
• Buying a medical malpractice policy
• 360 hours of previous practical experience

You can always find financial solutions to help you cover the tuition if needed.

Here are some of the subjects you’ll study:

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

You’ll have about 20 hours of practice per subject.

Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in North Dakota

In North Dakota, the license is issued by the state’s Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

To issue a license, the Board asks for:

• An application form
• Official school transcripts
• To pay the associated fees
  • $300 for the exam
  • $100 for the license
• Score at least 70% on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)
• Endorsement from a licensed veterinarian

The VTNE has a duration of 3 hours and it features 150 questions.

The test can only be taken by those who attended accredited training programs.

You’ll need to renew your license every year by submitting a fee and proof you continued your education.

Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in North Dakota

Veterinary techs don’t only work in animal clinics.

They also work in:

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

The Airport Animal Hospital in Fargo is one of the best places to find employment, though there are many other similar employers across the state.

There are many factors influencing your salary, including your past experience in the field and the city you work in.

Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in North Dakota

These resources are not only good to find out news from the industry but also for finding employment:

• North Dakota Veterinary Technician Association
• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
• Veterinary Career Network
• Vet Tech Life
• Where Techs Connect
• Vetcetera