How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Maine

Ever dreamed of becoming a vet technician in Maine?

Then you’re on the right track.

This career has a bright future with the rapid development of the vet industry.

Also, it’s a rewarding and fulfilling career despite its challenges.

Your education will, no doubt, prepare you for all possible situations.

It will make you physically, mentally, and emotionally stable for what this career entails.

Read on to learn what it takes to be a vet technician.

Job Description and Duties of a Vet Technician in Maine

The job of a veterinary technician is akin to that of a nurse in a human hospital.

Like a nurse, you’ll assist the vet in clinical procedures and everything else they might need.

Part of the job is to work well with animals and people, taking care of a wide range of issues like:

• Keeping records
• Admitting animals into the unit
• Cleaning after animals
• Helping out with the treatments and medications
• Performing euthanasia

Note that you won’t have to be supervised by the vet in all your tasks.

Some of them can be done on your own.

Working as a vet technician, you’re not limited to private practice.

You can work in other vet facilities and even choose a specialization.

How to Become One

The first step to becoming a vet tech is to get an associate’s degree in vet technology.

The school you choose to enroll in must be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

As of this writing, Maine has no veterinary college gaining accreditation.

But no worries.

The AVMA has a distance education program from accredited schools across the U.S.

After that, you’ll need to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

It’s an exam administered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards.

Only if you pass the test can you work as a licensed vet technician in Maine.

Education Required for a Vet Technician in Maine

To get admitted into the vet technician program, you must complete at least:

• 10 credits of core courses
• 3 credits of general education courses

Core courses include anatomy and physiology, computer skills, laboratory skills, and animal nursing.

You also must have a grade of “C” or better in all of them.

Completing these courses will earn you a Certificate of Achievement in Veterinary Assisting.

• Basic math
• Composition
• Speech
• Psychology
• And other science-based subjects

Regarding the actual program coursework, it takes a minimum of two more semesters.

Your courses will include classes in:

• Dentistry
• Pharmacology
• Anesthesiology
• Exotic and lab animal procedures
• Clinical procedures
• Surgical nursing

You’ll also have hands-on experience in the school labs where you’ll put your learnings into practice.

Your final semester will be an externship at a local clinic.

There, you’ll be trained and supervised by a professional vet, learning what it’s like to work as a vet technician.

Here are some of the vet clinics and hospitals where you can do your externship in Maine:

• Maine Veterinary Referral Center
• Maine Coast Veterinary Hospital
• Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary
• Calais Veterinary Clinic
• Southern Maine Veterinary Care
• Down Maine Veterinary Clinic
• Turner Veterinary Services
• Central Maine Veterinary Hospital
• Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuitions for the accredited vet technology program in Maine can reach up to $7,500 annually.

Out-of-state students may have to pay twice that amount.

Add to that about $2,000 to $3,000 for books and lab supplies, excluding living and transportation expenses.

As for financial aid, you can visit the websites of each school for information.

Typically, most traditional financial aids are available to students.

You can submit a request with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Popular Programs

Licensing and Certification

Once you earn your degree, take the VTNE to obtain your professional license.

Take note: Only those who graduated from an accredited program can take this test.

You will pay $300 to take it.

The VTNE is a 150-item examination that must be completed within three hours.

If you pass, forward your results to the state board who will then process your license.

Go to the Maine State Board of Veterinary Medicine for the Licensed Veterinary Technician application form.

Getting a Job in Maine

You’ve finished your education successfully and now you’re ready to find a job!

Well, it shouldn’t be a problem as there are always jobs available for vet professionals.

At this point, it’s up to you whether you want to work in a large animal hospital or a smaller clinic.

Whatever you decide, this list of potential employers in Maine will help you get started on the job market.

• Maine Veterinary Medical Association
• Maine Pet Hospitals
  • Animal Emergency Clinic of Mid-Maine
  • Cumberland Animal Clinic
  • Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary Clinic
  • New England Animal Hospital
  • Woodbrook Animal Clinic
• Maine Animal Shelters
  • Midcoast Humane
  • Greater Androscoggin Humane Society
  • Bangor Humane Society
  • Waldo County Humane Society
  • Homeless Animal Rescue Team of Maine
  • Lincoln County Animal Shelter

Salaries for Vet Technicians in Maine

As you know, vet technicians enjoy many job opportunities and will continue to grow each year.

With the 15% projected growth in employment thanks to the increasing demands of pet owners, you can gain a more competitive pay.

Here are the average annual salaries for a vet technician in Maine:

Regional Salary in Maine

Final Words

As you do in everything else, you must know thoroughly all the aspects of this job.

This information can help you build up your vet technician career in the long run.

That is, you get to build up knowledge and skills to deliver excellent vet care services to customers.

If you can master them, then a good job with good pay won’t be that out of reach.

How to Become a Vet Tech by State