Veterinary Technology at Iowa Central
Veterinary Technician
Career Options / Veterinary Technology

Veterinary Technician

Veterinary technicians provide technical support to veterinarians in a variety of environments. This program will prepare you will hands-on skills and knowledge to assist in all aspects of veterinary medicine. Opportunities will be provided with dogs, cats, horses, cattle, birds, rabbits, and rodents. As a veterinary technician, you will provide nursing care to small and large animals, assist in surgery, monitor anesthesia, radiology, ultrasonography, perform dental cleanings, perform physical examinations, laboratory diagnostics, and technical procedures. Technical skills taught at this facility include, but are not limited to, blood collection, IV catheter placement, vaccination and microchip administration, intubation, and surgical assisting. After completion of the program, students will be confident taking medical histories, providing client education, and documenting in patient medical files.

Career opportunities for veterinary technicians exist in small, large, exotic, or mixed animal practices, humane societies and animal shelters, research laboratories, animal control agencies, military programs, veterinary teaching hospitals, specialty hospitals, zoos, academia, and state and federal agencies.

An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree will be awarded to students who successfully complete the Veterinary Technician Program upon program accreditation. Students must then sit for the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam) and a state practice exam (if applicable) in order to become licensed.

Course Schedule


More Information


Veterinary Technician National Exam First Time Test Taker Success Rates


First class eligible for exam estimated June 2026

Career Outlook


Veterinary Technology Career Outlook

Contact Us


Kenzie Dornath
Advisor
515-574-1283
dornath_m@iowacentral.edu

I wanted to go back to college after working for a couple of years out of high school. I wanted to acquire knowledge to further my career in a job I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Derek Booth
Computer Networking Technology