Veterinary Technology

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ASSOCIATE IN SPECIALIZED TECHNOLOGY (AST)

The Veterinary Technology program at Pittsburgh Career Institute (PCI) is designed to train you to provide competent and humane care toward the emotional and physical well-being of animals in an entry-level position.

You will develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide quality veterinary care through high-level classroom lecture combined with a variety of hands-on clinical instruction. In addition to an industry-level on-campus laboratory, x-ray and surgical facilities, you will travel to diverse clinical instruction sites that include shelters, agricultural farms & equine veterinary facilities, and companion animal clinics and hospitals.

Students will gain knowledge in the areas including but not limited to:

  • Injections
  • IV Catheter Placement
  • Collection of Blood and other Laboratory Samples
  • Surgical Assisting
  • Anesthesia Administration and Monitoring
  • Specialized Nutrition
  • Internal Parasitology
  • Breeds/Preventative Medicine
  • Avian Exotic Care
  • Radiography

WHAT CAREER PATHS CAN I TAKE AS A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN?

Students that have completed the Veterinary Technology training program can seek employment at animal hospitals, Veterinary specialty hospitals, and emergency and critical care hospitals. Your job will always require working with animals, but there’s more than one way to put your AST degree to work – and you may find yourself particularly drawn to a certain vet tech specialization. These specializations include:

  • Veterinary internal medicine:  Management and treatment of diseases of specific organ systems. Sub-specialties include:
    • Gastroenterology
    • Oncology
    • Nephrology
    • Cardiology
    • Neurology
  • Emergency and critical care:  Providing emergency and/or intensive care to critically sick or injured animals
  • Zoo animal medicine:  Caring for animals in zoos or aquariums.

As technology in the veterinary field grows, an increasing number of career opportunities are becoming available. Because of this, there are more specializations that you could study after completing your Vet Tech program. Following your studies, and after passing the certification exam, you could focus on one or more specialized disciplines, including:

  • Avian and Exotic Medicine
  • Biomedical Research
  • Clinical Pathology
  • Dentistry
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Large Animals
  • Small Animals
  • Surgery

PROGRAM HANDBOOK

Download the Veterinary Technology Program Handbook.

Programmatic Accreditation

The Veterinary Technology Program at PCI is initially accredited by the AVMA as a program for educating veterinary technicians.

Pittsburgh Career Institute has been initially accredited by AVMA

1931 North Meacham Road | Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360 | 800.248.2862 | 202.842.4360

VTNE Pass Rates

The AVMA requires the following information to be posted regarding VTNE pass rates:

Number of first time candidates that took the exam:  21

Pass Rate*:  38%
*Reflects the following date range: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

To learn more about our Veterinary Technology program, fill out the form on this page. We’ll get back to you soon to help answer any questions you have.

(412) 281-2600
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Pittsburgh Career Institute
421 Seventh Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219