How to Become a Veterinary Technician in New Jersey

Do you dream of becoming a vet technician?

Then good for you!

It’s a rewarding and fulfilling career, wherein you’ll provide quality vet care to animals.

Of course, we can’t ignore the challenges you might face, especially the toll this job will have on you.

But with education and training, you’ll be prepared for all types of situations.

Not to mention the support your colleagues will give to make it easier on you.

So if you’re interested, let’s learn how to become a vet technician in New Jersey.

Job Description and Duties of a Vet Technician in New Jersey

To give you a more definite description, a vet technician is like a nurse.

Like the nurse, you’ll shoulder responsibilities to ensure that all patients are cared for.

What you do will be challenging, but given time and experience, you’ll get better at it.

Here are some of the tasks assigned to you in the normal course of operations:

• Assist the vet in clinical procedures, especially surgeries
• Provide basic animal care
• Hand over tools and equipment to the vet
• Clean and sanitize workstation and equipment used
• Perform euthanasia
• Keep and update patient records
• Communicate with pet owners and the vet team

How to Become One

To become a vet technician, you need to get an associate’s degree in vet technology.

You can earn this by enrolling in an accredited program from any of these schools:

• Bergen Community College
• Camden County College

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

Only if you pass the test can you work as a Certified Vet Technician in New Jersey.

Then, you will apply to get a professional license at the New Jersey Veterinary Technicians and Assistants.

Education Required for a Vet Technician in New Jersey

The application process for vet technology programs is highly competitive.

At the least, vet college will require that you:

• Hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Completed prerequisite courses (usually general education subjects)

Some of them may want you to:

• Undergo a background check
• Submit an autobiographical essay
• Present proof of immunization status (i.e., tetanus)
• Have work experience
• Passing scores on college placement tests

When you successfully get admitted, the courses you’ll study will include:

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

In some of the courses, you’ll be required to do lab work so that you can do hands-on practices.

Then, you will become an intern at a local vet facility under the supervision of the attending vet.

There, you’ll learn the actual work that the vet technician handles every day.

Tuition and Financial Aid

New Jersey generally has affordable tuition rates for accredited vet technology programs.

You can expect it to cost less than $12,000.

Add to that about $2,000 to $3,000 for books, lab supplies, and general student fees.

If you need financial help, schools and the government usually have programs that you can apply for.

The NJ Higher Education Student Assistance Authority listed the scholarships and grants that you can avail of.

Here are some of them:

• Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship
• Tuition Aid Grant
• Garden State Guarantee
• NJ Dreamers (or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application)

Most of these financial aid programs will consider you when you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Popular Programs

Licensing and Certification

To work as a Certified Vet Technician in New Jersey, you need to pass the VTNE.

It’s an exam regulated by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, at a fee of $300.

Do note that you can only take this exam when you’ve graduated from an accredited program.

Once you pass, go to the New Jersey Veterinary Technicians and Assistants to apply for and get your license.

You will have to renew your license every two years by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Getting a Job in New Jersey

With education and license completed, you can now get started on the job front.

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

Of course, it’s still up to the employer if they want to hire you or not.

So make sure you’re exactly the person they’re looking for before applying.

To help you out, we listed some potential employers in New Jersey that you can consider.

• Veterinary Centers of America – New Jersey Branches
  • Freehold Animal Hospital
  • Maple Shade Animal Hospital
  • Iselin Animal Hospital
  • Edgebrook Animal Hospital
• Banfield Pet Hospitals located in:
  • Moorestown
  • Hamilton
  • Manalapan
  • Edison

Salaries for Vet Technicians in New Jersey

Good news!

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 15% employment growth from 2020 to 2030.

So vet technicians can enjoy more employment opportunities with satisfying salary offers today.

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

Regional Salary in New Jersey

Final Words

Being a vet technician will be quite challenging, so make sure that this is exactly the career you want.

With the information on this page, we hope that it can help you make an informed career decision.

Remember, you’ve considered getting into this career because you want to help treat animals for a living.

So if you’re 100% sure that this is what you want to do, work hard in your education and training.

Because when you do, you can gain enough skills, knowledge, and experience to provide quality vet care services.

How to Become a Vet Tech by State