Veterinary Technology (VET)

Jefferson Campus 

Kristi Healy, L.V.T., Program Director
Harold Martin Building, room 118
(205) 856-8003 • krodas@jeffersonstate.edu

Michelle Campbell, L.V.T., Instructor/Advisor 
Harold Martin Building, room 115
(205) 856-8551 • mcampbell@jeffersonstate.edu

The Veterinary Technology Program prepares individuals for a career in veterinary medicine, under the supervision and direction of licensed veterinarians and/or licensed veterinary technicians. Includes didactic and hands-on practical instruction in essential skills for the veterinary technology/veterinary nursing profession as set forth by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, regulated by the Alabama Practice Act and/or other regulatory bodies.  Program encompasses points of instruction including but not limited to pharmacy and pharmacology; animal care and nursing; surgical nursing; dentistry; laboratory procedures; diagnostic imaging; anesthesia; pain management and analgesia; communication and veterinary professional support services; office and hospital procedures; client relations and communication; state standards and regulations and covers various animal species. 

Degree and Licensure 

Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded the Associate in Applied Science degree and are eligible for licensure by the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners as a Licensed Veterinary Technician. The testing and licensing authorities set fees for the examination and the license. The program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association/Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA/CVTEA).

Clinical Facilities 

This program is offered via distance education (within the state of Alabama), with the lecture portion of courses offered via the Internet (Canvas) and the clinical skills tasks performed in institutions and clinical sites offered in students’ home communities. (Institutions and clinical sites must be located in the state of Alabama). Veterinary clinics and/or institutions who wish to participate as a clinical site for the Program must complete a Clinical Site Application and submit copies of current Alabama licenses for each veterinarian and/or licensed veterinary technician who wish to serve as a clinical supervisor for the student participating in that clinic/institution. A video must be made of each skill task being performed by the student and submitted for evaluation by an instructor of the Program.

Admission Procedures/Requirements 

Contact the Office of Enrollment Services to request a college catalog and/or visit the college’s website and submit an admission application online (indicating Veterinary Technology as your major). Contact Enrollment Services for guidelines on submitting official transcripts. Applicants must meet the minimum general admission requirements for Jefferson State before being considered for acceptance into the Veterinary Technology Program. For VT Application Eligibility, contact the Veterinary Technology Department or visit the VT website at https://www.jeffersonstate.edu/programs/veterinarytechnology/veterinary-technology-application-process. Submit VT Application by the deadline. Please contact the Veterinary Technology Department at (205) 856-8551, (205) 856-8003 or the website for information regarding application deadlines. Submit in writing a report of any felony convictions to the VT Department. Students are admitted to the Veterinary Technology Program in the Fall and Spring Semesters. Students should consult an advisor well ahead of the date they plan to apply for admission to the Program to allow time to meet admission requirements. Students should read and understand the following requirements as they apply to the VT Program. 

Applicants must have completed or be in the process of completing all required general education courses prior to the Fall or Spring semester for which they are applying to begin Veterinary Technology courses - See General Education Requirements. 

Applicants must have no less than a grade of “C” on any required general education courses.

Applicants must have a minimum of 360 hours of clinical veterinary experience at the time of application, documented by their clinical facility with completed questionnaire of clinical experience to apply to prior to the term in which they are applying to start the Veterinary Technology Program.

Applicants must attend at least one informational session prior to application. Informational sessional are held each semester.

Applicants must apply and be admitted to Jefferson State Community College or currently enrolled students must be in good standing with the college. 

Applicants must apply to the Veterinary Technology Program by deadlines found on the website. Veterinary Technology applications should be accompanied by two letters of recommendation (one of these letters must be from a veterinarian; the other may be from a veterinarian or a licensed veterinary technician). 

Applicants must provide proof of health insurance.

Accepted students are required to attend a mandatory orientation for Veterinary Technology.

• Veterinary Technology students will be assigned clinical activities at veterinary hospitals or operations off-campus with a minimum of 20 hours per week. Students are required to secure their own clinical site locations.
• Farm Large Animal and Laboratory Animal Skills Sessions may be offered at specific hospitals or facilities that can meet program skills requirements. These sessions may require travel for the student. It is the student’s responsibility to provide transportation to all such skills sessions.
• All online tests are required to be proctored via an online proctoring service designated by the college. Students may have to pay a nominal fee for this service.
• All students in the Veterinary Technology Program must have access to a computer, with a web-cam and microphone, and high-speed Internet connection.
• Veterinary Technology students are expected to adhere to the Code of Ethics relating to behavior on and off-campus, whereas student behavior is considered a reflection of our entire program. Students found to be in violation are subject to dismissal from the program. Any use of artificial intelligence technologies to complete coursework, unless special approval from course instructor is requested in advance, is strictly prohibited.
• All students in the Veterinary Technology Program are required to purchase professional malpractice insurance through Jefferson State.
• Any student who becomes pregnant while enrolled in the Veterinary Technology Program must inform the program director and complete necessary paperwork.
• Because of the seriousness and dangers of the viral rabies disease, Jefferson State Community College Veterinary Technology Program requires pre-exposure rabies vaccination to all students in the program.
• The Jefferson State Veterinary Technology Program strongly recommends tetanus vaccination to all students entering the program.

The Alabama Community College System endorses the Americans’ with Disabilities Act. In accordance with College policy, when requested reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities. 

Physical, cognitive, psychomotor, affective and social abilities are essential in unique combinations to provide safe and effective veterinary nursing care. The applicant/student must be able to meet the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations throughout the program of learning. The Program and/or its affiliated clinical agencies may identify additional essential functions. The Program reserves the right to amend the essential functions as deemed necessary. In order to be admitted and to progress in the Program one must possess a functional level of ability to perform the duties required of a veterinary technician. Progression may be denied if a student is unable to demonstrate the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations. Upon admission, an individual who discloses a disability can request reasonable accommodations (ADA Accommodations Office in FSC 300). Individuals will be asked to provide documentation of the disability in order to assist with the provision of appropriate reasonable accommodations. The College will provide reasonable accommodations but is not required to substantially alter the requirements or nature of the program or provide accommodations that inflict an undue burden of the respective College. In order to be admitted one should be able to perform all of the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations. If an individual’s health changes during the program of learning, so that the essential functions cannot be met with or without reasonable accommodations, the student will be withdrawn from the program. The veterinary technology faculty reserves the right at any time to require an additional medical examination at the student’s expense in order to assist with the evaluation of the student’s ability to perform the essential functions. The essential functions delineated below are necessary for veterinary technology program progression and graduation. The essential functions include but are not limited to the ability to: 

Physical Demands

1. Have no life-threatening allergies to animals.
2. Have good physical stamina and endurance, which would not be adversely affected by having to lift, carry and balance at times in excess of 50 pounds (100 pounds with assistance).
3. Have the physical ability and agility to restrain different species of animals, which include but are not limited to: dogs, cats, horses, cows, pigs, sheep, and various small laboratory animals such as rabbits, mice, rats, hamsters, and guinea pigs.
4. Have good hand eye coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate equipment, instrumentation and medications.
5. Possess eyesight in a minimum of one eye correctable to 20/20 vision.

Problem Solving Abilities

1. Be able to differentiate between normal and abnormal findings in animal physical conditions by using visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile observations.
2. Be attentive to detail and be aware of standards and rules that govern veterinary practices.
3. Be able to collect facts and to organize data accurately, communicate clearly, both orally and in writing in the English language.
4. Be able to make good judgment decisions and exhibit problem solving skills under stressful situations.

Work Characteristics

1. Convey caring, respect, sensitivity, tact, compassion, empathy, tolerance and a healthy attitude towards others.
2. Possess emotional stability to be able to perform duties in animal life and death situations.
3. Be able to handle stress and work well as part of a team.
4. Have a personality that is conducive to working well with veterinary clientele.
5. Be able to work shifts of 24 hours in length.
6. Be oriented to reality and not mentally impaired by mind-altering substances.
7. Not be addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Desirable Worker Characteristics

Have the desire to look neat and dress appropriately to reflect a positive image on the veterinary profession. 

Transfer Credit or Previous Credit - General Education Courses

Students who have transfer credit should request the evaluation of transcripts from other colleges attended by Enrollment Services. 

Transfer Credit or Previous Credit - Veterinary Technology Program

Any student who has previously attended another veterinary technology education program is considered to be a “transfer student”. Students who are eligible and are interested in transferring into Jefferson State’s Veterinary Technology Program should call or write the director of veterinary technology for information on admission criteria and procedures required. Students wishing to transfer must:

1. Meet the entry and progression requirements of the institution and the veterinary technology program.
2. Provide evidence that all required general education and veterinary technology courses taken at another institution were completed with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better
3. Provide information for review of courses to be transferred.
   1. Transfer of courses will be done on a course-by- course basis.
   2. Alabama Community College System Veterinary Technology Curriculum courses will be transferred without review of the course syllabus.
   3. Veterinary Technology courses from any other institution are accepted only after review by the accepting institution to ensure content consistency. The student is responsible for providing materials needed for review, i.e., course syllabus, course description, course outline, etc.
   4. Courses must be from a Veterinary Technology Program that is accredited by the AVMA.
4. Be a student in good standing and eligible to return to the previous veterinary technology program.
5. Provide a letter of recommendation from the Dean/Director of the previous program.
6. Complete at least 50% of the total program at the accepting institution.
7. Validate skills and knowledge as necessary to determine program placement.

Progression Requirements 

In order to continue in the Veterinary Technology Program, the student must meet the minimum standards: 

Letter grades for all VET courses are assigned according to the following system:

A: Excellent (90-100) )   
B: Good (80-89
C: Average (75-79)
D: * Poor (60-74)
F: Failure (below 60) 
W: Withdrawal
WP: Withdrawal Passing
I:  Incomplete

*Please note: Students must pass Veterinary Technology courses with a letter grade of at least a C (grade of 75-79). 

Students must maintain a grade of “C” or better in each of the required Veterinary Technology courses and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. 

If a student withdraws or makes below a “C” in a Veterinary Technology course, the student cannot progress in the program until the course has been repeated successfully. 

Veterinary Technology courses may only be repeated once; students failing to make a grade of “C” or better on a course that has been repeated may be dismissed from the program. Course attempts include failures and withdrawals. 

It is still a requirement in courses which have both online coursework and required skills, that students must pass both portions with a minimum grade of “C” to pass that course. 

Students may be dismissed from the program for failing or withdrawing from a second course. 

Students must complete entire program courses within 8 semesters.

Students who do not meet the requirements for continuation will be dismissed from the Veterinary Technology Program but may be eligible to continue taking college courses. These students will not be eligible to register for Veterinary Technology courses until readmission into the program has been granted by the Program Admissions Committee. 

Students must maintain professional conduct as outlined in the Veterinary Technology Code of Ethics.

Readmission Requirements 

Students wishing to be re-admitted to the Veterinary Technology Program must do so in writing one semester in advance of the anticipated date of re-entry. After reviewing the student’s records, the Program Admissions Committee will determine if the student will be re-admitted to the program. Readmission is not guaranteed, regardless of the reason for dismissal and will only be considered if there is class space available. A student dismissed from the Veterinary Technology Program a second time for any reason will not be readmitted. Due to rapid changes in the veterinary technology field, an elapsed time of 5 years or more shall necessitate the repeating of veterinary technology courses.