Veterinary Technician Ontario College Diploma program

Program Overview

The Veterinary Technician Ontario College Diploma program at Georgian College equips students with the skills and knowledge to become integral members of veterinary healthcare teams. Through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on labs, and field placements, students develop expertise in animal care, laboratory procedures, surgical assistance, and specialized nursing. The program boasts a high employment rate and prepares graduates for a wide range of career opportunities in the veterinary field.

Program Outline

Program Information Extraction from Georgian College Veterinary Technician Program

Degree Overview:

• Program Name: Veterinary Technician Ontario College Diploma
• Description: This program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to become an integral member of a veterinary healthcare team.
It covers various animal care activities in companion animal and large animal practices, animal shelters, research facilities, zoos, and wildlife facilities.
• Objectives:
• Understand normal and abnormal animal life processes.
• Perform routine laboratory and clinical procedures.
• Obtain and record patient histories.
• Collect and analyze laboratory samples.
• Prepare patients, instruments, and equipment for surgery.
• Induce and monitor anesthesia.
• Assist in medical and surgical procedures.
• Provide specialized nursing care.
• Produce diagnostic radiographs.
• Perform dentistry.
• Delivery: Full-time, in-person
• Duration: 2 years

Outline:

• Program Courses:
• 10 program-specific courses
• 2 communications courses
• 3 general education courses
• 2 field placements
• Semester 1 courses:
• VETC 1002 - Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology 1
• VETC 1003 - Introduction to Veterinary Technology
• VETC 1020 - Animal Care 1
• VETC 1021 - Animal Husbandry and Handling
• VETC 1022 - Veterinary Lab Techniques 1
• General Structure:
• Year 1: Focuses on foundational knowledge and animal care skills.
• Year 2: Develops advanced technical and clinical skills through lab and field placement experience.
• Course Schedule: Available in the program outline document.

Assessment:

• Methods:
• Assignments
• Exams
• Lab practical
• Clinical skills assessments
• Field placement evaluations
• Criteria:
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of course material
• Completion of assignments and practical tasks to a satisfactory standard
• Professionalism and teamwork skills

Teaching:

• Teaching methods:
• Lectures
• Laboratories
• Workshops
• Clinical simulations
• Field placements
• Case-based learning
• Group work
• Individualized instruction
• Faculty: Experienced veterinary technicians and veterinarians with industry expertise.
• Unique approaches:
• On-site veterinary teaching hospital
• Hands-on clinical training
• Field placement opportunities
• Simulated veterinary clinic experience

Careers:

• Career paths:
• Veterinary clinic technician
• Animal shelter technician
• Research technician
• Zoo technician
• Pharmaceutical sales representative
• Livestock health management specialist
• Food animal inspector
• Job opportunities: High demand for RVTs in Ontario
• Graduate employment rate: 92%

Other:

• Program highly competitive
• Minimum admission requirement: 75% in each prerequisite subject
• Requires proof of current rabies vaccinations within 1 year of program start
• Field placements occur after the winter semester in years one and two