To become a vet tech in San Jose, California, aspiring individuals have to get relevant education, certification, and practical experience.
Start by enrolling in a veterinary technology program.
After completing the coursework, gain practical experience through internships or externships at local veterinary clinics or animal hospitals.
In this field, having hands-on experience is invaluable.
Upon successful completion, graduates have to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) to become a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in California.
Obtaining this certification is essential for employment.
Career opportunities for RVTs include animal hospitals, private clinics, laboratories, and other animal care facilities.
If you think this is a career path for you, take a vet tech course at any of the vet tech schools in San Jose, CA listed below.
- Full AVMA-CVTEA accreditation, allowing graduates to qualify for the VTNE examination.
- Study online, at your own pace, wherever you are.
- Receive ongoing support from our Veterinary Academy Team.
Carrington College
About the School
Carrington College is a career training school with 16 campuses across the United States.
Established in 1967, they offer career-focused programs in the medical and dental fields, nursing, and the trades.
They take pride in their hands-on classes led by qualified instructors who impart real-world skills to their students.
Through their flexible learning options, they offer classes on-campus and online to accommodate different schedules.
They are committed to providing career-focused programs that meet the needs of their students, employers, and community.
They are accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC/WASC).
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Technology Program aims to prepare students for a dynamic career in animal care as veterinary technicians.
Its curriculum combines theory with hands-on experience to immerse students in a rich learning environment facilitated by seasoned professionals in the field.
The program puts an emphasis on the practical skills needed to excel in diverse veterinary settings.
From animal nursing and diagnostic imaging to pharmacology and surgical assisting, the coursework provides opportunities to gain a holistic understanding of animal healthcare.
Below are examples of Veterinary Technology Courses covered:
- Introduction to the Veterinary Hospital
- Basic Anatomy and Physiology
- Clinical Procedures
- Surgical Assisting
- Anesthesia for Veterinary Technicians
- Large Animal Medicine
- Veterinary Applied Sciences
- Veterinary Technology Specialties
- Advanced Clinical Procedures and Surgery
- Companion Animal Diseases
The syllabus also includes General Education Courses, such as:
- Computer Literacy
- English Writing and Composition
- Principles of Mathematics
- Principles of Nutrition
- College Algebra
It features Clinical Rotation, VT Externship, and Licensure Exam Comprehensive Review too.
Upon successful completion, graduates may sit for a credentialing exam, such as the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards to become licensed vet techs.
Address: 5883 Rue Ferrari #125, San Jose, CA 95138, United States
Silicon Valley Career Technical Education
About the School
Silicon Valley Career Technical Education is a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics high school program consisting of 25 courses designed to prepare students for higher education and the workforce.
It is available for free for qualified grade 10, 11, and 12 students who want to undergo training for a specific career path.
Taught by industry professionals, it aims to engage students in rigorous, real-world academics and skills development to support their success in the future.
It offers morning and afternoon class sessions and is also open to adults but only on a space-available basis.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Science Program focuses on the academic, technical skills, and employability practices necessary to pursue a career in the veterinary medicine field.
It teaches a variety of personal and professional skills, including:
- Basic veterinary clinic front office skills
- Career-ready skills
- Communication skills
It covers a broad range of veterinary courses, such as:
- Veterinary medical terminology
- Introduction to companion animal body systems
- Medical/surgical asepsis
- Animal nutrition
- Surgical instrumentation
- Basic animal nursing protocols
- Basic laboratory and diagnostic testing
- Basic pharmacology and administration of medication to animals
- Basic imaging techniques
The full program requires 519 hours.
Upon successful completion, students will receive a Completion Certificate.
They may also enroll in a Continuing Education Program to earn an AS Animal Science Degree and become a Registered Veterinary Technician.
Job opportunities include vet clinics, kennels, animal shelters, zoos, and entry-level research facilities.
Address: 760 Hillsdale Ave, San Jose, CA 95136, United States
Foothill College
About the School
Foothill College is a higher education institution founded in 1957 in Los Altos Hills, California.
Over the years, they have garnered acclaim for their commitment to academic rigor, innovation, and inclusive learning environments.
They offer an array of programs catering to diverse interests and career paths.
With over 100 associate degree and certificate programs, students can avail of high-quality education in various fields ranging from STEM disciplines to humanities, arts, and vocational training.
They also have stellar faculty members who are passionate about nurturing talent and guiding students toward success.
Guided by their core values of honesty, integrity, trust, openness, transparency, forgiveness, and sustainability, they are committed to empowering their students to achieve their goals as members of the workforce, as future students, and as global citizens.
They are accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Technology Program is an allied health career program in the college’s Biological and Health Sciences Division.
Accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), its mission statement is “to empower the future veterinary technician to be a progressive and compassionate member of the veterinary team and community.”
The curriculum features the following Core and Support Courses:
First Year – Summer Session
- Introduction to Allied Health Programs
- Veterinary Medical Terminology
First Year – Fall Quarter
- Comparative Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology for the Veterinary Technician
- Small Animal Nursing I
- Animal Care Skills I
First Year – Winter Quarter
- Current Topics in Veterinary Technology II
- Medical Calculations for Veterinary Nurses
- Comparative Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology for the Veterinary Technician
- Small Animal Nursing II
- Veterinary Office Practice
- Animal Care Skills II
First Year – Spring Quarter
- Service Learning and Leadership for Veterinary Nurses
- Introduction to Large Animal Nursing
- Pathophysiology of Animal Disease
- Large Animal Skills Laboratory
- Clinical Pathology Methods
Second Year – Summer Session
- Fundamentals of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
- Clinical Internship I
Second Year – Fall Quarter
- Advanced Small Animal Nursing
- Pharmacology for Veterinary Nurses
- Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
- Clinical Internship II
Second Year – Winter Quarter
- Current Topics in Veterinary Technology V
- Surgical Assisting for the Veterinary Nurse
- Principles of Veterinary Dentistry
- Anesthesiology for Technicians
- Clinical Internship III
Second Year – Spring Quarter
- Career Exploration for Veterinary Nurses
- Exotic Animal Care
- Veterinary Anesthesia Laboratory
- Laboratory Animal Nursing
- Clinical Internship IV
- Veterinary Technician Proficiency
The full program requires 91.5 total units.
Career opportunities for graduates include small and large animal practices, clinical laboratories, research, specialty practice, education, and pharmaceutical and biomedical industries.
Address: 12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022, United States
Veterinary Technician Schools by City in California
- Bakersfield, CA3 Schools
- Fresno, CA2 Schools
- Los Angeles, CA4 Schools
- Oakland, CA1 Schools
- Riverside, CA1 Schools
- Sacramento, CA2 Schools
- San Diego, CA2 Schools
- San Jose, CA3 Schools