How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Kansas

There are jobs in Kansas dedicated to caring for animals if you have a talent for it.

One of them is becoming a vet tech, and these are the requirements for this job.

Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in Kansas

As a vet tech, you will take care of the animals at the facility, while being supervised by a vet.

Some of your daily assignments will include:

• Administering medications
• Taking x-rays,
• Processing tissue samples,
• Assisting in surgery and emergency care
• Performing lab tests
• Teeth cleaning,
• Electrocardiography,
• Bandaging,
• Wound cleaning,
• Maintaining detailed and accurate records of meds, supplies, patients

In Kansas, vet techs perform surgeries or provide medication.

Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in Kansas

In Kansas, you don’t need to take any extra training if you already have experience in the vet industry.

However, if you don’t, you should consider getting a vet tech license first.

Before getting licensed, you need a Veterinary Technology Associate’s Degree of Applied Science.

This degree is available through accredited training programs in Kansas.

It usually takes about 2-3 years to finish such a program and get your degree.

The program you choose should be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

You can also opt for a degree in Animal Science with a specialization in vet tech.

You will also have to attend practice hours, which can be done by attending an internship or an externship.

You may want to have a look at the schools below for extra info.

The requirements to get into a vet tech training program are:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• A grade of C in these subjects: biology, English composition, math, basic computer science, psychology, humanities, and public speaking
  • Future students must complete these classes right before enrolling in the degree program
• 2 letters of recommendation
  • One of them must come from a veterinarian
• Health insurance
• Buying a medical malpractice policy
• Passing an interview
• Some 360 hours of previous practical experience

You can opt for a scholarship or even work-study if you need help with your tuition.

Classes will include the following subjects:

• Introduction to veterinary technology
• Anatomy and physiology
• Emergency care and first aid
• Pathology
• Anesthesiology
• Radiology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology
• Parasitology
• Toxicology
• Nutrition

Another requirement is to finish complete 20 hours of practice in an accredited vet site.

The last semester will be a preceptorship.

Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Kansas

Vet technicians in this state are licensed by the Kansas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

To receive the vet tech license, you need to submit:

• An application form
• Proof you graduated from the training program described earlier
• To pay a fee
  • $300 for the exam
  • $100 for the license
• Score at least 70% on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)

The VTNE has 150 questions, and you also have to pay a fee of $300 for it.

You will also have to finish it within 3 hours.

Your vet tech license requires renewal every 3 years, and you need to meet some requirements.

You will have to take 30 extra hours of education before you can renew your vet tech license.

The Kansas Veterinary Technician Association (AVTA) is a helpful resource for vet techs in Kansas.

The organization will help you with your studies and offers job placement options.

Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in Kansas

After you finish your program and get licensed, you may want to know more about salaries.

As a vet tech, you can find work in:

• Private clinical practices
• Zoos
• Veterinary teaching hospitals
• Rescue centers
• Wildlife or exotic animal rehabilitation centers
• Humane societies,
• Research facilities,
• Pharmaceutical companies

The largest employers for vet techs in Kansas are:

• Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital of Wichita, Wichita
• Bayer Animal Health, Shawnee
• Animal Care ER, Salina
• Great Plains SPCA, Kansas City

Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in Kansas

To keep updated with the industry and its changes, check out the below resources:

• Kansas veterinary technicians association
• Kansas Veterinary Medical Association
• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
• Veterinary Career Network
• Vet Tech Life, an online journal for veterinary technicians
• Vetcetera,