Working as a vet tech in Memphis, TN offers a unique blend of personal and professional fulfillment.
As a vet tech in Memphis, you can contribute significantly to the well-being of beloved pets, assisting in surgeries, administering treatments, and offering compassionate care.
The role also allows you to build meaningful connections not just with animals but also with their devoted owners.
Moreover, vet techs in Memphis, TN earn an average salary that ranges from $28,000 to $36,000 annually.
However, this can vary based on factors like experience, additional certifications, the specific clinic or hospital, and the demand for veterinary services in the area.
More experienced vet techs or those with specialized skills may earn higher salaries, potentially reaching the upper range or even beyond.
If you think this career pathway suits you, the first step to take is completing a vet tech course.
Take a look at the vet tech schools in Memphis, TN below to see your options.
- 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.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
About the School
The Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) is a higher education institution that provides vocational education to empower students with hands-on skills.
They offer an array of programs spanning fields like automotive technology, healthcare, welding, and information technology, tailored to meet the evolving demands of industries.
Their mission revolves around fostering a dynamic learning environment, equipping individuals with technical expertise, and preparing them for the workforce.
With a focus on practical, industry-aligned education, they continue to nurture a diverse cohort of students, empowering them to thrive in their chosen fields.
Through strategic partnerships and a dedicated faculty, they remain steadfast in their goal of preparing skilled professionals ready to make meaningful contributions in their respective industries.
They hold accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education.
Courses Offered
The Assistant Animal Laboratory Technology Program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as technicians.
It teaches the skills necessary to work with companion animals in a veterinary hospital or diagnostic laboratory setting or with lab animals in a biomedical research facility setting.
Program length is 12 months.
The curriculum covers the following courses:
First Trimester
- Veterinary terminology and related math
- Basic anatomy and physiology
- Animal welfare regulations
- Occupational health and safety
- Research facilities and equipment
- Hygiene and sanitation
- Feed and nutrition
Second Trimester
- Species-specific information
- Animal husbandry and recordkeeping
- Genetics and breeding
- Animal diseases and treatments
- Animal health surveillance
Third Trimester
- Technical skills and procedures
- Diagnostic techniques
- Veterinary pharmacology and anesthesia
- Asepsis and the Surgical Environment
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Employability skills
- Clinical – Technical
The program requires 1,296 total clock hours and costs approximately $6,000.
Address: 3435 Tchulahoma Rd, Memphis, TN 38118, United States
Chattanooga State Community College
About the School
Chattanooga State Community College is a public community college in the Tennessee Board of Regents System.
They are committed to academic excellence, integrity, inclusivity, and community engagement.
Established in 1965, they are a pillar of educational excellence in the state, offering a broad range of programs in the areas of the arts, humanities, mathematics, engineering technology, and natural sciences.
They also offer technical certificate programs, continuing education, adult education, corporate training, early college, and community service programs.
Every year, they welcome more than 2,300 enrollees from the different Southeast Tennessee counties, the seven bordering countries of North Georgia and Northeast Alabama, and beyond.
Their mission is to foster student success through accessible, innovative learning experiences.
They hold accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), ensuring quality education and student-focused initiatives.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Technology Program is an Associate of Applied Science Degree Program that requires five semesters.
It offers a full-time curriculum with general education requirements and specific veterinary technology skills.
Its course experiences take place in the school’s state-of-the-art facilities while the clinical experiences are held at local veterinary clinics, farms, and hospitals.
Accredited by the Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) via the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), it covers the following subjects:
Freshman – Fall
- General Biology 1
- Introduction to Veterinary Technology
- Composition 1
- Elective
Freshman – Spring
- Animal Anatomy and Physiology
- Animal Nursing
- Medical Terminology
- Microbiology
Freshman – Summer
- Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Calculations
- Clinical Practicum
- Fundamentals of Communication
Sophomore – Fall
- Clinical Pathology
- Anesthesia and Surgical Nursing
- Clinical Practicum 2
- Introduction to Ethics
Sophomore – Spring
- Clinical Practicum
- Imaging
- Topics in Veterinary Technology
The full program requires 66 total hours and costs $14,000+ (in-state) or $45,000+ (out-of-state).
Upon graduation, students may sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).
Career opportunities include traditional private vet practices, educational institutions, research facilities, zoos, aquariums, and government positions.
Address: 4501 Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37406
Columbia State Community College
About the School
Columbia State Community College is a public community college that serves the nine counties in southern Middle Tennessee.
Founded in 1966, they have built a legacy of educational excellence, providing accessible and quality higher education.
With a diverse array of programs ranging from liberal arts and sciences to health sciences, technology, and professional studies, they cater to varied educational and career pathways.
Their mission centers on transforming lives through accessible, innovative, and rigorous learning experiences, and their values encompass academic excellence, diversity, equity, and community engagement.
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), they have campuses in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg, and Clifton.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Technology Program helps students with a passion for animals acquire the skills necessary to pursue a career working with animals.
It aims to teach the different responsibilities of a veterinary technician, such as:
- Clinical pathology
- Radiology
- Surgical Assisting
- Office/hospital management
The curriculum features the following courses:
First Year – Fall Semester (16 Credit Hours)
- Introduction to Veterinary Technology
- English Composition I
- Introduction to Animal Science
- General Biology I or II
- Columbia State College Success
First Year – Spring Semester (14 Credit Hours)
- Microbiology
- College Algebra
- Animal Anatomy
- Fundamentals of Communication or Argumentation and Debate
First Year – Summer Semester (11 Credit Hours)
- Veterinary Diagnostic Procedures
- Clinical Practicum I
- Veterinary Medical and Surgical Nursing I
- Veterinary Patient Care and Management
Second Year – Fall Semester (16 Credit Hours)
- Clinical Practicum II
- Veterinary Medical and Surgical Nursing II
- Pharmacology
- Livestock Management
Second Year – Spring Semester (16 Credit Hours)
- Clinical Practicum III
- Veterinary Medical and Surgical Nursing III
- Humanities/Fine Arts Requirement
- Social/Behavioral Science Requirement
The program requires 73 Total Credit Hours and costs $18,000+.
Address: 1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, Tennessee 38401
Lincoln Memorial University
About the School
Lincoln Memorial University is a private university that serves the Appalachian region.
Founded in 1897, they are a comprehensive institution renowned for their academic excellence and also a living memorial to Abraham Lincoln.
They occupy a 1,000-acre wooded space with a rich history and house 43 academic, administrative, and residential buildings.
They offer a diverse range of undergraduate, and graduate programs, international, online, and honors programs, and academic support services.
Each semester, they enroll several thousand students in the following areas of study:
- Medical Sciences
- Education
- Veterinary Medicine
- Mathematics and Science
- Business
- Osteopathic Medicine
- Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
- Nursing
- Law
- Dental Medicine
- Engineering
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), their mission is “to change lives through education, community service, and research.”
Courses Offered
There are two types of Veterinary Technology Programs offered at the University — an AS Program and a BS Program.
Associate of Science in Veterinary Medical Technology
The Associate of Science in Veterinary Medical Technology Program prepares students for the responsibilities of a veterinary technician in a variety of settings.
Its Curriculum Plan covers General Education and Veterinary Medical Technology Courses, such as:
General Education Courses
- Strategies for College Success
- Math 105 or higher
- Composition I
- Fundamentals of Speech and Communication
- Computer Literacy
- Science requirement with Lab
Veterinary Medical Technology Courses
Spring I
- Foundations and Communication
- Anatomy and Physiology with Lab
- Husbandry and Handling with Lab
- Parasitology with Lab
Fall I
- Clinical Procedures and Surgical Nursing with Lab
- Dental Procedures
- Medical Math and Pharmacology
- Clinical Pathology with Lab
- Diagnostic Imaging with Lab
- Emergency and Critical Care
Spring II
- Laboratory and Exotic Animals
- Clinical Procedures
- Pharmacology
- Anesthesia and Analgesia with Lab
- Diseases and Zoonoses
Fall II
- VTNE Review
- Practicum Experience
The program requires 74 total credits.
Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medical Technology
The Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medical Technology is a 100% online program.
It is open to students who have graduated with an AS or AAS degree from an AVMA-accredited institution and want to pursue further education in various advanced and specialized courses.
Its Curriculum Plan spans four semesters and covers the following subjects:
Semester 1
- History Requirement
- Civics Requirement
- Math Requirement
- Advanced Anesthesia for VT
- English Requirement
Semester 2
- Fine Arts/Ethics/Humanities
- Junior Seminar
- One Health
- Zoonotic Disease
Semester 3
- History Requirement
- Fine Art/Ethics/Humanities Requirement
- Senior Writing and Research
- Human-Animal Bond
Semester 4
- Behavioral/Social Science Requirement
- Science Requirement
- Communications and Ethics
- Management
Career opportunities for graduates include:
- Large and small animal clinics
- Exotic animal practices
- Veterinary education
- Research facilities
- Veterinary practice management
- Zoos
- Public health
Address: 6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway, Harrogate, TN 37752