DEGREE: ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE
DIVISION: ALLIED HEALTH
The mission statement of the Veterinary Technology Program (VETT) is to develop veterinary technicians that have both excellent “technical” skills as well as excellent “people” skills. Veterinary technicians have become important members of the veterinary health care team, and as part of that team work directly under the supervision of a veterinarian. Veterinary technicians perform many important duties in the veterinary facility, including the following: client education, performing diagnostic tests including blood work, urinalysis and x-rays, animal nursing, administering anesthesia and assisting in surgery, and record keeping. This comprehensive educational program provides students with a high quality fundamental and practical education in both the college classroom and in veterinary clinical settings. It also prepares students to successfully perform all of the tasks that veterinary technicians are expected to perform. Additionally, they will learn how to become good members of the veterinary health care team. Such important character traits as integrity, hard work, and client service will also be developed.
The Veterinary Technology Program is a full time, six semester Associate of Applied Science degree program. The Delgado program admits one class per year, beginning in the fall semester. The program is a limited enrollment program. Prospective students must contact the Allied Health Admissions Office to initiate the application procedure. The deadline for completed applications to the program every year is May 1, with applications available starting December 1st. The Admissions Committee for the program reviews and evaluates each application on an impartial basis. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. To be eligible to apply to the program, students must meet the following criteria:
- Have a love for animals and a willingness to work hard.
- Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Successfully complete all prerequisite general education courses. (See below.)
- Earn a cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0.
- Be able to meet program’s technical standards.
- Complete 100 hours of observation at a veterinary hospital
- Submit three letters of recommendation
Prerequisites
The Veterinary Technology Associate of Applied Science degree program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL60173-4360, phone: 847-925-8070 fax: 847-925-1329, e-mail: avmainfo@avma.org
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the Veterinary Technology Associate of Applied Science program, the learner will be able to:
- Master the essential skills dictated by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (SLO # 1)
- Develop effective written and interpersonal communication methods with veterinary health care team members and clients and an ability to work effectively as a member of the veterinary health care team (SLO # 2)
- Integrate the use of appropriate veterinary medical terminology and abbreviations and communicate in a professional manner in all formats- written, oral, non-verbal, and electronic (SLO # 3)
- Facilitate the use of appropriate safety and protective practices in daily activities as a veterinary technician (SLO # 4)
- Apply critical thinking skills to planning and problem solving to provide appropriate veterinary patient-centered care (SLO # 5)
- Combine importance of professional behaviors and actions consistent with the Veterinary Technician Standards of Conduct related to moral, legal, and ethical issues that occur in the veterinary field as well as lifelong learning, career development, and active involvement in community service endeavors (SLO # 6)
