Veterinary Technology Associate Degree

Veterinary technicians are registered, certified or licensed members of the veterinary health care team. They play an integral role in many areas of veterinary clinical practice, including medical, surgical, laboratory, and office procedures. All tasks are performed under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Compassion for animals is essential, because the main focus of individuals employed as veterinary technicians is the treatment and nursing of healthy and sick animals.

The American Veterinary Medical Association accredits Columbus State’s Veterinary Technology Program. The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology provides students with both classroom and clinical experiences. Students have the opportunity to intern at The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Students also will spend a portion of their clinical experience in various veterinary settings, including research centers, private clinical practices, veterinary emergency hospitals, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, and zoos. Columbus State Community College emphasizes safety and disease prevention because students and employees in health care professions may be exposed to infectious materials, communicable, and zoonotic diseases.

Columbus State Community College also offers an evening Veterinary Technology Program designed for the working student. The evening program can be completed in nine quarters with courses starting no earlier than 5:00 p.m. Some daytime availability may be required during the Clinical Experience A-D courses.

For students interested in equine health, a joint program has been developed between Columbus State’s Veterinary Technology and Otterbein College’s Department of Equine Science. Successful completion of these two programs will result in an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology from Columbus State Community College, and the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Equine Health Technology from Otterbein College. For more information, contact Dr. Maria Calderone, mcalderone@otterbein.edu.

For students interested in animal science, a joint program has been created between Columbus State’s Veterinary Technology and The Ohio State University’s Department of Animal Science. Successful completion of these two programs will result in an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology from Columbus State Community College, and the Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from The Ohio State University. For more information, please contact Amy Lahmers, lahmers8@osu.edu. Special advising with the program coordinator is necessary for students who wish to participate in these joint programs.

Please note that there may be changes to the Veterinary Technology Program admission requirements and curriculum periodically. Any admission criteria or curriculum changes will be updated at the Veterinary Technology Mandatory Information Sessions.

Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology, and under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, the graduate will be able to:
• Perform patient assessment techniques, obtain thorough patient history, and maintain medical records for patient animals in a veterinary health care setting.
• Effectively communicate preventative medicine, treatment protocols, dental health, and medical and surgical procedures to veterinary clients.
• Prepare and dispense medications according to a prescription, perform drug dosage calculations and maintain controlled drug records.
• Administer and understand the effects of treatments and/or medications delivered either orally or parenterally.
• Apply and manage wound dressings, bandages, and splints.
• Properly collect, prepare and handle diagnostic specimens for laboratory analysis.
• Perform clinical laboratory procedures, including complete blood counts, serum chemistries, microbiology, immunologic testing, urinalysis, and cytology.
• Identify internal, external, and blood parasites of domestic animal species.
• Safely handle and perform routine procedures on common laboratory animals used in research settings.
• Prepare equipment, instruments, animals, and medications for surgical, diagnostic, and anesthetic procedures.
• Administer and effectively monitor anesthesia, including anesthetic induction, maintenance, and recovery by inhalation and/or parenteral routes.
• Assist in diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures, including post-operative management, pain control, and skin closure.
• Perform complete routine dental prophylaxis.
• Administer and monitor basic and/or intensive nursing care, including fluid therapy and nutritional management.
• Perform diagnostic imaging procedures using appropriate safety measures.
• Comprehend the approach to providing safe and effective
care for avian, exotic and small mammal species.

Graduates register with the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board to become Registered Veterinary Technicians in the State of Ohio. Graduates are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) that is recognized in more than 40 states to certify veterinary technicians. Students must successfully pass the VTNE to be eligible for licensure in the State of Ohio.

Specific Program Admissions Information

Prospective students are required to attend an information session where they will receive the separate admission application for the Veterinary Technology Program. Detailed admission criteria, plans of study, and career opportunities are also discussed. These sessions, held periodically throughout the year, are very helpful in answering the prospective students’ questions. General information packets and information session dates and times may be obtained by contacting the office associate at (614) 287-5511 or by sending an e-mail request to kfannin@cscc.edu.

The yearly deadline for application and completion of admission requirements is March 23 for admission beginning the following Summer Quarter (evening plan of study) or the following Autumn Quarter (day plans of study), based on space availability. Students must meet all admission requirements before being considered for admission into the Veterinary Technology.

Listed below are additional requirements for admission to the Veterinary Technology:
• High school graduate or GED equivalency
• Required high school (or equivalent) courses in Biology (grade of “C” or better within the past five years) or BIO 100 or 101 (grade of “C” or better) and Chemistry (grade of “C” or better within the past three years) or CHEM 100 (grade of “C” or better)
• Placement into ENGL 101–Beginning Composition.
• Placement into “No Reading Required” (students with college transfer credit for ENGL 101 or ENGL 111 are not required to take the placement test).
• Completion of MATH 103–Beginning Algebra II with a grade of “C” or better.
• Attend a Veterinary Technology Mandatory Information Session (Applicants will receive a separate admission application for the Veterinary Technology Program at these sessions. Applicants will not be considered for admission until an information session has been attended).
• Computer literacy (high school, work-related or completion of CIT 101).
• Grade point average of 2.5 or better (most recently completed coursework).

Upon acceptance into the Veterinary Technology, the student will be required to complete the following Health Related Technology Requirements:
• Complete a Health Statement declaring all allergies, medications, and physical limitations or restrictions.
• Tuberculin Testing (Mantoux) within the past year.
• Tetanus Booster (Td) within the past eight years.
• The student must obtain health insurance coverage and keep the coverage on a continual basis while attending CSCC as a Veterinary Technology student.
• Rabies vaccination or signed waiver.
• Drug Test
• Background Check

Acceptance is conditional on the submission and clearance of student background history by Columbus State Community College’s Public Safety Department and drug screening clearance by the Columbus State Community College’s Health Records Office. You can obtain additional information at the program information sessions or by contacting Kelly Fannin at (614) 287-5511.

Veterinary Technology Associate Degree

An accelerated plan of study for students with prior college coursework and an evening plan of study are also offered. Students should consult with the office associate regarding these options.

All students will be required to participate in the Patient Animal Care Teams (P.A.C.T.) program during their enrollment in the Veterinary Technology. Students will be responsible for additional animal exercise, training, patient care and other related skills outside of scheduled class time. Detailed information is available at the Veterinary Technology Mandatory Information Sessions.