Program Overview

At the Vet Tech Institute at International Business College, for those attending full time, you can earn your Veterinary Technician degree in as little as 18 months.  The program contains all elements required by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA).

While veterinary technicians do get to spend time cuddling and loving the animals in their care, veterinary technicians are also an important part of the veterinary medical team. As a Vet Tech Institute at International Business College graduate, you’ll be prepared to assist veterinarians to*:

• Treat ill or injured animals by  monitoring their clinical symptoms
• Prepare for and assist in surgery
• Administer, monitor, and maintain anesthesia during surgery
• Monitor animals recovering from surgery
• Perform laboratory tests by collecting and analyzing test specimens to assist the veterinarian in diagnosing conditions
• Take and develop radiographics using x-ray equipment
• Fill medications and maintain a drug inventory and log book
• Perform injections, administer medications and vaccines, and run IVs

The last 2 months of your education are spent in an externship. This is an opportunity to get real-life experience in an animal clinic, hospital, research facility, or a farm animal practice.

*Specific tasks summarized from Summary Report for: 29-2056.00 - Veterinary Technologists and Technicians; O*Net Info

As a student at the Vet Tech Institute at International Business College, you'll take these concentration courses:

• CLINICAL MEDICINE I
  This course introduces basic terminology; different nutrients, vitamins, and minerals needed in an animal’s diet; animal nutrition; and nutritional seminars.
  
  
• CLINICAL MEDICINE II
  This course builds upon Clinical Medicine I, focusing on recognition of different canine and feline breeds, dog laws, concepts of canine and feline behavior, and vaccine types and protocols for both canines and felines.
  
  
• CLINICAL MEDICINE III
  This course is an in-depth study of canine and feline diseases. Specifically students will focus on pathology of disease, necropsy, viruses, bacteria, protozoal and vector-borne diseases, zoonoses, dermatology, and the endocrine system.
  
  
• CLINICAL MEDICINE IV
  This course is a continuation of Clinical Medicine III. Diseases of the reproductive system, neurological system, musculoskeletal system, and cardio respiratory system are presented.
  
  
• ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY I
  Through theory and practical application, this course teaches the student aspects of kennel care and management. Additionally, basic grooming, restraint techniques, common abbreviations, and physical exams are included.
  
  
• ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY II
  This course builds upon Animal Technology I and is focused on oral medications and procedure, eye medications and procedure, Schirmer tear test, corneal stains, glaucoma, fecal equipment and tests, and parasitology.
  
  
• ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY III
  This course builds upon Animal Technology II with an emphasis on sample collection. Instruction will cover sample collection of both urine and blood specimens through various routes as well as giving injections through various routes.
  
  
• ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY IV
  This course builds upon Animal Technology III with an emphasis placed on intravenous catheterization fluid therapy, electrocardiograms, blood transfusions, and dentistry.
  
  
• VETERINARY TERMINOLOGY
  The student will be introduced to basic terminology used in veterinary practice. Emphasis is based on the understanding of composition of terms including the use of prefixes and suffixes.
  
  
• CLINICAL LABORATORY I
  This course reviews basic laboratory equipment and glassware. The student is then introduced to basic veterinary hematology with emphasis placed on normal test values of individual animal species.
  
  
• CLINICAL LABORATORY II
  This course builds upon Clinical Laboratory I with a more in-depth study of hematology. Blood cell appearance to recognize diseases is emphasized along with cell and platelet counts. Other measurements of blood components are also covered.
  
  
• CLINICAL LABORATORY III
  This course builds upon Clinical Laboratory II, with emphasis placed on further individual animal species testing to include: FeLV/FIV testing, brucellosis testing, heartworm testing, urinalysis, and blood
  analyzers.
  
  
• ANIMAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I
  This course concerns the structure and function of the animal body and its parts. Instruction is geared
  toward the understanding of the cell system, tissues, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, cardiovascular system, neurologic system, and the blood and immune systems. Emphasis is placed on the clinical use of anatomy and physiology in veterinary medicine.
  
  
• ANIMAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II
  This course builds on Animal Anatomy and Physiology I. In this course the structure and function of the circulatory, respiratory, gastrointestinal, excretory/renal, reproductive, and sense organ systems are studied. Emphasis is placed on the clinical use of anatomy and physiology in veterinary medicine.
  
  
• VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY I
  This course covers all aspects of medications according to their clinical usage and method of administration. Emphasis is placed on the veterinary technician’s role in the veterinary pharmacy. This course also focuses on drug dosage calculations.
  
  
• VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY II
  This course is a continuation of Veterinary Pharmacology I and covers drugs affecting the urinary system;
  muscle function; antimicrobials; anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs; dermatologic, ophthalmic, and
  optic medications; antineoplastic, immunosuppressive, and behavior-modifying drugs; as well as herbal
  therapeutics.
  
  
• ANESTHESIA I
  This course concerns all aspects of the anesthetic process, anesthetic agents used in veterinary medicine
  and their effects, and anesthetic equipment functions and use. The student will apply mathematical skills to practice calculations using common anesthetics and their dosages. The veterinary technician’s role in
  relationship to the veterinarian is a key point of study.
  
  
• ANESTHESIA II
  This course is a continuation of VT 161 Anesthesia I with a focus on acid/ base balance, fluid therapy, electrocardiogram, anesthetic emergencies, dental anesthetic emergencies, dental anesthesia, recovery,
  and pain management.
  
  
• CLINICAL MEDICINE V
  This course is a continuation of Clinical Medicine IV. Diseases of the digestive system and renal system
  will be discussed as well as emergency management and the veterinary technician’s role in emergency situations. Emphasis is placed on the following topics: proper methods of evaluating an animal in an
  emergency situation, how disease processes manifest as emergencies, and the equipment and medications used during emergencies.
  
  
• ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY V
  This course builds upon Animal Technology IV with an emphasis placed on more advanced techniques such as laboratory animal research, including the anatomy, care and maintenance, disease process, blood collection procedures, anesthesia administration, and regulatory requirements for rats, mice, guinea pigs,
  rabbits, birds and exotics.
  
  
• ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY VI
  This course builds upon Animal Technology V with an emphasis placed on more advanced techniques, such as advanced surgical procedures, bandaging and wound management, orthopedics, and special
  procedures including feeding tubes.
  
  
• LARGE ANIMAL THEORY I
  This course will introduce the student to farm animal medicine. The student will become acquainted with anatomy, breed identification, management, restraint methods, physical exams, reproduction, nutrition,
  and husbandry.
  
  
• LARGE ANIMAL THEORY II
  This course continues theories introduced in Large Animal Theory I to include more in-depth information on diseases for farm animal species, such as horses, pigs, and cattle. Herd health maintenance measures
  are also discussed.
  
  
• VETERINARY OFFICE PROCEDURES
  This course focuses on aspects of veterinary practice operations. Topics such as appointment scheduling, general office and billing procedures, client relations, OSHA, client education, teamwork, the veterinary technician’s role in euthanasia, and ethical situations are discussed.
  
  
• VTNE PREPARATION
  This course is a comprehensive review of both theory and practical application. It is designed to prepare the student to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam. Discussions will be followed by exams that are formatted and timed using parameters similar to the actual test.
  
  
• RADIOGRAPHY I
  This course includes the theory of radiography and the methods of exposing and developing films, animal restraint, and proper positioning during film exposure. Radiation safety, film reading, and error identification, correction, and prevention are emphasized.
  
  
• SURGICAL NURSING I
  This course is designed to prepare the student to assist in all aspects of veterinary surgery. Students are
  introduced to aseptic surgery techniques, surgical instrumentation identification and use, patient preparation, positioning for various surgical procedures, and common veterinary suture materials and
  patterns.
  
  
• SURGICAL NURSING ROTATION
  This course is designed to permit the students to apply all skills and knowledge acquired in Veterinary
  Pharmacology, Anesthesia, Clinical Laboratory, and Surgical Nursing I to perform actual surgical
  assisting roles. Students will gain experience in anesthesia administration, sterile and nonsterile assisting,
  patient preparation, surgical clean up, and recovery of their patient. These duties will be performed as part of a student team under the supervision of the staff veterinarian and Registered Veterinary Technician.
  
  
• RADIOGRAPHY II
  This course builds upon the material covered in VT241 Radiography I with students beginning their
  practical hands-on repetitions to achieve competency in taking and developing radiographs. The course
  culminates with the production of a final radiograph project that demonstrates the student’s proficiency in the technical and analytical skills of radiography.
  
  
• LARGE ANIMAL PRACTICUM
  Students will observe or perform husbandry and restraint techniques as well as various medical procedures and may assist in radiological and surgical procedures on horses and cattle and other species
  when available. This course will be conducted at off-campus stables, farms, or other large animal facilities.
  
  
• VETERINARY EXTERNSHIP
  This unpaid externship is scheduled in the last 8 instructional weeks of the program. Externships are served in a veterinary clinic or hospital or other animal facility. The externship experience provides the
  student with the opportunity to build upon the clinical and practical skills learned in the classroom.
  
  
• CLINICAL LABORATORY IV
  This course builds upon Clinical Laboratory III. Students will learn the principles of clinical chemistry,
  diagnostic tests, uses and maintenance of blood analyzer machines, immunology and serology, cytology,
  basic microbiology techniques as well as collect, culture, stain, identify, and perform sensitivity testing on
  bacterial specimens. Students will perform a blood chemistry panel, collection of cytology specimens, and evaluation of cytology specimens.