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Veterinary Medical Technology

The CCCC Veterinary Medical Technology program was the first of its kind in NC. Since 1974 the program has been accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). Graduates are recognized leaders in their field. Departmental instructors are leaders in the veterinary community. Equipment used in the program is plentiful and state-of-the-art.

Characterized by a bright and enthusiastic nature, successful VMT students are focused on learning. The typical student tends to be an independent person with valuable experience working in a veterinary clinic.

Often students have a background in the sciences coupled with their love and concern for animals. They work well in teams and understand the importance of professional behavior.

The VMT program exposes students to a variety of animals including rodents, rabbits, dogs, cats, cattle and horses. In addition to extensive hands-on lab experiences, the program also uses numerous teaching models and demonstrations. Since it is a medical program, uniforms are required and all students have animal care responsibilities. The faculty is dedicated to animal healthcare and teaching. They are an experienced group of well-educated professionals, including two licensed veterinarians and veterinary medical technicians.

A variety of job opportunities awaits graduates of the VMT program. Employers include private veterinary practices, research facilities, pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic laboratories, zoos, wildlife rehabilitation centers, state and federal agencies, veterinary teaching hospitals, and specialty and emergency practices.

Students enrolled in the program study nutrition, diseases, anatomy, radiology, parasitology, pharmacology, dental, surgical and clinical procedures, anesthesiology, lab techniques, and office practices. The program has a diverse animal population, a large dog and cat ward, on-campus labs and an off-campus large animal facility.

The instructional program features guest speakers from the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine, representatives from pharmaceutical and research facilities, and from specialty hospitals, as well as members of the NC Veterinary Board. Students are invited to attend meetings and continuing education seminars sponsored by state veterinary associations. Students in the VMT program are encouraged to join the student chapter of the North American Veterinary Technician Association and the North Carolina Association of Veterinary Technicians.

The program is designed to be completed in two years and is offered exclusively during weekday classes at the Lee County campus in Sanford, NC. Since the college is non-residential, students are individually responsible for their finances and housing.

What Students Learn

Students successfully completing the Veterinary Medical Technology Program will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of veterinary medical terminology
  • Identify specific breeds of domestic and laboratory animals, list physiological data, and outline basic animal husbandry and care techniques
  • Properly restrain, examine, and medicate animals
  • Understand OSHA and DEA regulations and be able to establish safety and regulatory compliance protocols
  • Identify relevant anatomical structures and describe basic physiological processes of animals
  • Identify important life cycle stages of common external and internal parasites as well as treatment/prevention strategies and public health aspects
  • Describe basic disease processes and discuss prevention strategies
  • Understand basic pathological changes associated with disease and prepare sample collection and submission of histopathology and necropsy specimens
  • Collect, prepare, perform, and analyze samples for hematology, urinalysis, microbiology, and clinical pathology using manual and automated laboratory techniques
  • Calculate drug and fluid doses accurately, educate clients about medications, and understand the daily working operations of a veterinary pharmacy
  • Be familiar with the function and maintenance of diagnostic equipment and instrumentation
  • Take and process radiographs and be knowledgeable about other imaging techniques
  • Recognize and understand aseptic technique as it applies to surgery, instrumentation, and packaging
  • Administer anesthetics/analgesics, assist in surgery, and maintain accurate surgical/anesthetic records
  • Conduct routine, critical care, and emergency procedures and maintain accurate medical records
  • Perform dental prophylaxis
  • Select appropriate diets for animals in all stages of health/disease, analyze nutrition labels, and identify various types of animal foods
  • Effectively communicate with clients and demonstrate in writing proper procedures for restraining and medicating animals.