Get licensed on your time, and our dime, through our Vet Tech Development Program.
As a valued full-time member of the VIP hospital team, you will have the opportunity to qualify for our Vet Tech Development Program (VTDP). Through our partnership with Penn Foster - an AVMA-accredited, self-paced, online program - we offer the unique opportunity to support you in achieving your career advancement. We handle the costs, enrollment, mentorship, and more, allowing you to concentrate on advancing your skills in the veterinary field.
Financial Support
VIP is proud to sponsor and cover the Vet Tech Development Program costs through Penn Foster.
Externship Support
VIP is dedicated to facilitating and securing clinical externships for program participants, ensuring valuable hands-on experience within the field.
Mentorship Opportunities
Team members can take advantage of Penn Foster’s mentorship program, which includes personalized one-on-one guidance from VIP’s clinical training team.
What to expect
As a VIP team member, you will have the opportunity to apply for VTDP, where up to 8 applicants are selected each semester, following approval from their People Leader. The only requirement to join our program is obtaining a high school diploma. Through our partnership, enrolled students have a 6-month semester, taking around 2 years to complete the program, with an average study commitment of 10 hours per week.
Externships will play a key role within VTDP:
- 2nd semester involves a small animal externship, which can be completed at a VIP network hospital
- Most clinical externships, excluding farm and lab placements, can occur at VIP practices. Externships will be scheduled with and evaluated by the Practice Manager at each hospital.
- For the 4th semester's lab/farm animal externship, VIP aids in finding placements at local farms listed by Penn Foster. Participants receive paid time off and travel expense reimbursements following our travel policy.
Program Perks & Benefits
- 100% tuition paid by VIP
- 100% lab and farm animal externship cost paid by VIP, including travel expenses
- For lab/farm animal field trips, team members can use one of their working days, upon receiving their Practice Manager's approval
- Penn Foster enrollment process is taken care of by VIP
- Receive clinical externship support
- Receive student success mentorship, if needed