With HCC's Veterinary & Animal Science Department, you can begin your career as a Veterinary Technician or Veterinary Assistant! HCC offers a two-year program that results in an Associate of Applied Science degree with a Veterinary Technician option. HCC also offers a one-year, part-time Veterinary Assistant Certificate program. A Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) is trained to handle many of the same responsibilities that a Registered Nurse (RN) and other professionals perform alongside physicians. Veterinary technicians serve roles as animal anesthetists, surgical technicians, radiology technicians, medical laboratory technicians, and veterinary dental hygienists. Veterinary technicians employed in specialty practices may become technician specialists in a variety of disciplines such as anesthesiology, internal medicine, nutrition, ophthalmology, emergency and critical care, dentistry, and zoological medicine, among others. These veterinary technician specialists are often involved in teaching and training other veterinary technicians and assistants as well as veterinary medical students during their clinical rotations. Veterinary assistants support the veterinarian and the veterinary technician in their provision of healthcare and are trained to perform multiple tasks under the supervision of veterinarians and veterinary technicians. The veterinary assistant is trained to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the provision of preventative healthcare, in the collection and preparation of laboratory samples, in the restraint and handling of animals, in the feeding, exercise, and care of animals in the clinic, in keeping medical records, in client communication, and in the preparation of equipment and supplies for medical and surgical procedures. Both veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants can work in a variety of animal healthcare settings, including small animal clinical practices, equine or large animal facilities, in zoo or wildlife medicine, in laboratory animal medicine, or in veterinary referral hospitals and specialty practices. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of both veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.