What is a Veterinary Technician?

Doctors of Veterinary Medicine are charged with the care and treatment of animals both medically and surgically. Today in modern veterinary practice there are increasing demands made on their time. Because of this, veterinarians have come to rely on skilled veterinary technicians to assist them with their increasing workload. As part of a professional team, veterinary technicians work under the direct supervision of veterinarians in hospital, clinic, laboratory, and zoological settings. They perform a variety of tasks, allowing the veterinarian to focus on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of animals. Duties of a veterinary technician include: client education; running routine laboratory tests; performing anesthesia, and preparing patients, instruments and equipment for surgery; collecting specimens for laboratory analysis; exposing and developing diagnostic x-rays; assisting with critical and emergency care of animals when necessary; animal care and feeding; and record keeping.

Veterinary Technician: A Career Choice?

A career as a veterinary technician is for you if you care about animals and seek the challenge of a science-oriented discipline. The comprehensive program at Macomb Community College can help you shape your interest and ability into a set of specialized skills that are in great demand in the veterinary field.  Career opportunities constantly surpass the number of graduate veterinary technicians entering the profession. Employment is available primarily in small animal private practices, but other career opportunities also exist in mixed and large animal practices, medical research, humane organizations, pharmaceutical companies, zoos, and personal ownership of pet stores, boarding kennels, and grooming salons.

The Program

Michigan requires the licensing of all veterinary technicians.  The requirement for taking the licensing exam is graduation from a veterinary technology program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The Veterinary Technician Program at Macomb has earned such approval. The program is also one of only 3 in the country that has attained accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association as well.  The program consists of a full-time four-semester program, including an internship that is required during the summer between first and second years.  Students who graduate from the program receive an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.). While most graduates will start their careers immediately after graduation, a few may wish to continue their education. Some universities now offer bachelor's degree in veterinary technology. Students who intend to transfer to a four-year college are encouraged to consult with a member of Macomb’s counseling staff early in their college career.

The Faculty

Macomb’s Veterinary Technician Program faculty consists of several full and part time employees. Lori Renda-Francis, MA, BBA, LVT, is the Program Director and full time professor.  Julie Delauter, LVT is a full time professor and Dr. Jerrod Notebaert, DVM, is the program’s staff veterinarian and adjunct professor. They are assisted in teaching duties by a staff of experienced professionals, which include both practicing veterinarians and veterinary technicians who bring to the classroom over 60 years of experience in veterinary technology. Our program also consists of one full-time laboratory supervisor and numerous part-time laboratory assistants. All have several years of both clinical and educational experience in training veterinary technicians.

The Facility

Macomb’s position as an innovator in the training of veterinary technicians is best demonstrated by the training facility that was specifically designed for the curriculum. We offer cutting edge technology and equipment to train the technician students in the classroom.

The Difference

Macomb has taken the lead in providing veterinary technician students with the opportunity to obtain hands-on experience while still in school. A large part of the clinical training is two internships totaling a minimum of 400 hours of experience at local veterinary facilities. The internships are evidence of the excellent working relationship that exists between Macomb and the local veterinary community. This relationship insures that plenty of internships and employment opportunities are available for both students and graduates of the program