How to Become a Veterinary Technician in North Carolina

Pet owners consider their pets family.

As such, they take animal healthcare seriously.

They go to vet facilities for check-ups and emergency care just to make sure their pets are healthy and good.

What’s more, they rely on and trust the vet team to provide the best vet care for their pets.

So if you love animals just as much, then why not try becoming a vet technician in North Carolina?

Read on to learn how this profession might just be the right one for you.

Job Description and Duties of a Vet Technician in North Carolina

As a vet technician, you’re expected to perform various jobs to tend to animals in need of treatment.

You’ll encounter emergency situations at times, but the usual tasks involve:

• Assisting the vet in surgeries and other procedures
• Conducting lab work and diagnostics
• Applying anesthesia
• Keeping and updating patient records
• Scheduling appointments
• Restraining and helping animals
• Cooperating with other vet facilities
• Cleaning and sterilizing the workspace and equipment

How to Become One

There are a few steps to do if you want to be a vet technician.

First, you must earn an associate’s degree in vet technology.

You can get this by enrolling in an accredited vet technology program in North Carolina.

Per the American Veterinary Medical Association, you can choose to study at any of these vet colleges:

• Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
• Cape Fear Community College
• Central Carolina Community College
• Gaston College
• Miller-Motte College
• Nash Community College

After graduating, you’ll then take and pass two exams to obtain your professional license:

• Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)
• North Carolina State Examination

Education Required for a Vet Technician in North Carolina

In the program curriculum, you will learn vet courses, such as:

• Parasitology
• Anatomy and physiology
• Anesthesiology
• Nursing
• Veterinary math
• Microbiology
• Veterinary math
• Hematology
• Terminology
• Radiology
• Dentistry

You’ll also do lab work on-campus to help you practice skills and assimilate knowledge.

Later, you will intern at a local vet facility under the guidance and supervision of the vet.

There, you’ll learn what it’s like to work as a vet technician at a fully-functional facility.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Of all vet degrees, vet tech programs aren’t that expensive.

On average, tuition costs between $6,000 to $30,000 for the entire program.

This is exclusive of the books, lab supplies, and general student fees, which can amount to $2,000 to $3,000.

Fortunately, North Carolina vet colleges have student aid programs to help ease your financial burden.

Federal and state financial aid programs are also available for as long as you’re qualified.

Most of them will consider you when you apply through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Popular Programs

Licensing and Certification

Well, you’ve finished the program, so now what?

Now, you prepare for the licensure exams to become a Registered Vet Technician.

To earn this designation, you will take and pass:

• VTNE
• North Carolina State Examination

For VTNE, the exam fee is $300, wherein you’ll answer 150 questions within three hours.

For the state exam, it’s $50, wherein you’ll answer 50 questions online.

The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board requires you to renew your license every two years.

The board exempts you from applying for the first renewal if you graduate the same year you become licensed.

Otherwise, you will have to complete 12 hours of continuing education.

Six of those hours can be done online.

Getting a Job in North Carolina

With education completed and a license earned, you’re now ready to find a job.

Luckily, North Carolina has plenty of vet facilities hiring vet technicians.

And so, you won’t have a hard time finding work.

Here are some potential employers in North Carolina that may offer you a job:

• Veterinary Centers of America – North Carolina Branches
  • Stoney Creek Animal Hospital
  • Whispering Pines Animal Hospital
  • Triangle Tower Animal Hospital
  • Animal Hospital West
• Banfield Pet Hospitals located in:
  • Cary
  • Durham Southpoint
  • Sanford
• Vetco Wellness Centers and Vaccination Clinics located in:
  • Greensboro Petco
  • Durham Petco
  • Charlotte Petco
  • Concord Petco

Salaries for Vet Technicians in North Carolina

A vet technician’s salary may not be on par with other similar occupations, but it’s sufficient to support your lifestyle.

Plus, expect an increase in your paycheck, especially when there’s a 15% projected employment growth for this career.

Below, you’ll find the average annual salaries for vet technicians in North Carolina.

Regional Salary in North Carolina

Final Words

Being a vet technician is a dream come true for animal lovers advocating for animal health and welfare.

The job has fewer and lighter responsibilities than that of the vet, true.

But what you do contributes significantly to animal healthcare.

After all, you’re the person the vet team considers the vet’s right-hand man.

So practice your skills and gain more experience to become the person trusted by the vet team and clients.

Veterinary Technician Schools by City

• Charlotte, NC4 Schools

How to Become a Vet Tech by State