Launching Your Vet Tech Career in Tulsa
Have you always felt a special connection with animals? Do you dream of caring for pets, livestock, and wildlife through skilled medical care? Turning your passion into a vet tech career is an incredibly fulfilling choice. And the Tulsa region offers top-notch education pathways to help you succeed.
This comprehensive guide explores the ins and outs of building an enriching vet tech career – from finding the best Tulsa-area training programs to earning your professional credentials and beyond!
Why Become a Vet Tech?
Veterinary technicians play a critical support role on animal healthcare teams. They assist veterinarians with:
- Performing diagnostic tests
- Administering medications + treatments
- Monitoring + caring for patients
- Managing medical records
- Educating pet owners
- And much more
It’s hugely rewarding work for animal lovers. As a vet tech, you make a real difference in the health and lives of precious pets and livestock on a daily basis.
You can expect strong job stability and growth potential too. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 16% expansion for vet tech jobs over the next decade – much faster than average. Oklahoma vet techs earn $30,790 median pay, which rises steadily with experience and specializations.
Whether you envision working in a bustling animal hospital, private practice, rescue shelter, research lab or wildlife center, a vet tech credential opens doors.
Choosing the Right Vet Tech Program
There are a few routes to gaining your vet tech qualification in the Tulsa region:
Associate Degrees take about 2 years and provide comprehensive medical/clinical education. They qualify graduates to become Credentialed Vet Technicians.
Certificate programs can be completed in 9-18 months. They offer targeted training for Veterinary Assistants roles. Some credits may transfer to longer degree programs later.
Ideally a program should be AVMA-accredited which signals it meets strict national education standards. This is required for CVT credentialing.
Let’s explore the top Tulsa-area options across educational institutions…
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
- Offers an AVMA-accredited Associate degree
- High 91% job placement rate
- State-of-the-art veterinary teaching clinic
- Rigorous science/clinical curriculum
- 200+ hour externship included
- Respected instructors are licensed veterinarians
OSUIT grads are extremely well-prepared for vet tech certification and careers. In-state tuition is approx. $7,600 per year.
Tulsa Tech
- 30-week AVMA-approved Certificate program
- Focused training for veterinary assistants
- Courses in anatomy, exams, vaccinations & more
- 160-hour externship in local animal hospital
- Excellent reputation & grad job placement rate
Convenient and affordable at just $2,200 total.
Tulsa Community College
- AVMA-CVTEA fully accredited program
- Blends online and on-campus labs/instruction
- Partners with renowned Tulsa veterinary center
- Credits transferable for Bachelor’s degree
- Provides solid foundation for VTNE credentialing exam
Trusted program with strong clinical experience at approx. $3,000 per semester.
See full rankings of 10 exceptional vet tech programs in Tulsa here
Program Factors to Weigh
Choosing your optimal vet tech education pathway is a very personal decision based on your career goals, lifestyle factors and budget. Consider aspects like:
Program Type & Length
- Associate degree vs shorter certificate
- Accredited vs non-accredited
- Online, in-person or hybrid options
Location & Schedule
- Close to home or willing to relocate
- Schedule fits with your existing commitments
- Externship sites available in desired region
Affordability & ROI
- Upfront costs: tuition, fees, supplies, etc.
- Available financial assistance
- Expected graduate salary in your region
This table shows the impressive salary earning potential versus program costs:
| Program | Length | Total Cost | Avg Oklahoma Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| OSUIT AAS Degree | 2 years | $15,200 | $37,350 |
| Tulsa Tech Certificate | 30 weeks | $2,200 | $29,010 |
| TCC AAS Degree | 2 years | $12,000 | $36,540 |
Reaching out to admissions counselors is the best way to get all of your specific questions answered! They want to help you succeed.
Vet Tech Career Growth Trajectories
Where can an initial vet tech qualification take you over time? There are exciting clinical and non-clinical career advancement pathways to consider.
In Clinical Practice
- Lead Vet Tech: Oversee teams and operations in larger hospitals
- Specialty Vet Tech: Focus on a niche like surgery, behavior or dentistry
- Practice Manager: Handle personnel, policies, budgets and more
In Research
- Clinical Trials: Assist scientists with pharmaceutical/treatment testing on lab animals
- Population Studies: Collect/analyze animal data to advance health outcomes
In Education
- Instructor: Teach future vet technicians
- Training Manager: Develop curriculums and learning systems for hospitals
Average Oklahoma Salaries
| Initial Vet Tech | $29,010 |
| Lead Vet Tech | $39,850 |
| Specialty Vet Tech | $42,300 |
| Practice Manager | $55,600 |
Clearly earning your initial vet tech credential can pave the way for growing responsibilities and pay over time!
The Veterinary Technician Credentialing Process
Gaining professional certification validates your qualification and expertise to employers. It’s an invaluable resume asset that expands your opportunities and earning potential.
Here are the two simple steps to become a Credentialed Veterinary Technician (CVT) in Oklahoma:
1. Graduate from an AVMA-Accredited Vet Tech Program
Accreditation confirms a program meets strict national educational standards for clinical readiness.
2. Pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)
This comprehensive exam tests your essential medical knowledge and skills. Real-world experience through externships gives a leg up for passing!
After earning your CVT, continuing education requirements help you stay current in the field as protocols advance. Renewal is required nationally every 3 years.
Let’s simplify the process…
[INSERT INFOGRAPHIC]The respected nonprofit National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) oversees credentialing.
Achieving your CVT distinction signals meeting high professional standards – it can boost your career options exponentially!
Hear from Actual Tulsa Grads
Wondering what lies beyond graduation? Meet two exceptional vet techs who completed local programs:
Amanda S.
After finishing my Associate degree at OSUIT, I earned my CVT and worked in general practice for 3 years. Now I care for lab animals that are part of clinical trials improving human and animal health! It’s very fulfilling.
Ryan W.
I was working as a vet assistant when I chose to enroll in Tulsa Tech’s certificate program. Achieving my CVT opened doors to better pay and leadership roles. Last year I was promoted to Lead Vet Tech, managing 6 assistants at our hospital!
As you can see, becoming a credentialed vet tech equips you for amazing career potential fueling Oklahoma’s growing animal healthcare field.
Start Your Vet Tech Journey in Tulsa!
Ready to begin a rewarding new chapter caring for the creatures that fill our lives with joy and purpose? Wonderful vet tech opportunities await in Green Country!
With acclaimed college programs, convenient technical schools, affordable community colleges and more – the Tulsa region offers accessible stepping stones to achieve your veterinary assisting or veterinary technician credentials.
And the job demand for skilled, certified vet techs keeps expanding exponentially across clinical, shelter, lab research and exotic animal environments.
Whether you dream of ensuring healthy futures for pets and their families, advancing animal welfare through nonprofits, or contributing to innovations that save animal lives…
…Turning your passion into a vet tech career lets you make a real impact every day!
Choose an exceptional Tulsa-area program that fits your needs, weigh affordability and outcomes, tap financial assistance resources, and look forward to an enriching career filled with furry, fuzzy and feathered friends!
