Veterinary Technology

• Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology

Program Description
Veterinary technology is a career in which skilled technicians participate in the exciting and challenging field of veterinary medicine working with animals and their owners under the supervision of veterinarians. The five-term associate of applied science degree program provides didactic, lab and clinical experiences necessary for employment in the field of veterinary care and medicine. Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be prepared as an integral member of the veterinary healthcare team providing care and support to small and large animals.
The program prepares graduates to sit for the National Veterinary Technician Examination and the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Practice Act examination. Upon passing both examinations successfully, the applicant is eligible for licensure as a veterinary technician in New Mexico by the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine (NMBVM). The program has national accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA).

Career and Advancement Opportunities
Employment opportunities for Veterinary Technicians exist in private veterinary offices, animal control and animal humane centers, biomedical facilities, diagnostic laboratories, zoos and wildlife facilities. Graduates of the program may choose to continue their education by completing additional arts & sciences course requirements for Pre-Veterinary Medicine and seeking admission to Veterinary Medicine Schools.

Special Requirements
To enter the program, students must have a high school diploma or equivalent, a minimum score of 85 on the Health, Wellness & Public Safety Basic Math test within 12 months prior to petitioning, be admitted to CNM, declare Veterinary Technology as a major, establish a CNM GPA of 2.0 or better, complete prerequisites and the petition process. Each year, the selection of students to begin the Veterinary Technology core coursework will be based upon the number of required arts & sciences courses completed. If necessary, the date of declaration of Veterinary Technology as a major at CNM will be used for prioritization. Basic computer literacy is strongly recommended.
Students with a criminal background may have limited employment opportunities in healthcare and public service. Those who have a felony conviction should refer to the relevant New Mexico legislation (NMSA, Section 29-17-5 for healthcare employees available at http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/05%20Regular/final/HB0627.pdf). Students should also contact appropriate credentialing or licensing agencies and local or regional industry for hiring and employment practices. Contact the HWPS Division Office at (505) 224-4111 for more information.
Students interested in certain Health, Wellness and Public Safety Division programs must be in good physical and psychological health. Some programs require documentation of a recent health screening from a licensed healthcare provider confirming the ability to safely perform program specific activities and lift a minimum of 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are made for those students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with a disability that may interfere with completing program competencies, which may include providing safe patient care, are advised to contact the HWPS Division Office at (505) 224-4111 for more information.
All Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division career and technical courses required for graduation must be taken for a traditional grade of A, B or C. For Health, Wellness & Public Safety career and technical courses offered only for credit/no credit, a grade of credit (CR) must be earned.
Students are required to provide their own health insurance and transportation to classes, labs and clinical sites. A $90 uniform fee covers the cost of consultation jacket, scrubs (two sets), hemostat, nametags and preventive lab tests in case of exposure to human blood. A program fee of $15 will be charged in VT 103L for a lab kit and a film badge fee of $30 will be charged for VT 114L, 120C, 210C and 220C.

Graduation Policy
Health, Wellness & Public Safety Division students must graduate under the current catalog.

• Pre- and corequisites are listed in course descriptions and are subject to change with each new catalog. It is the student’s responsibility to meet the pre- and/or corequisites in effect for the term in which a course is taken, regardless of the catalog under which the student entered or will graduate. Students may be stopped from enrolling or may be disenrolled if pre- or corequisites are not met.
• Students who have successfully completed courses that no longer exist from previous catalogs will be accommodated. Contact the division at (505) 224-4111 for more information.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Program information is available from the Program Director, Dr. Bonnie Snyder, at (505) 224-5043, bsnyder6@ cnm.edu, or Clinical Coordinator, Evelyn Hamilton, RVT, (505) 224-5071, ehamilton9@cnm.edu, or from Academic Advisement and Career Development at (South Valley) or (505) 224-5056 (505) 224-4321.