Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Duke MO

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Duke Missouri

Duke MO vet tech diagnosing puppyRealizing your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Duke MO might at first seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a college that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. When they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Duke MO 

cat with cone after surgery in Duke MOAmong the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Duke MO veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each position.

  • Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
  • Vet Technicians get more extensive training in contrast to assistants and normally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Duke MO labs or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Duke

student attending online vet tech school in Duke MOAn alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Duke MO veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for traveling and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Duke MO Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Duke MO vet tech schoolsBy now you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Duke MO area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Duke MO area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Missouri school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Duke MO veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Duke MO veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate may signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Duke MO vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Duke MO programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Duke MO home, you need to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Duke MO. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Duke MO?

If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Duke Missouri area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.

Mohamed Bamba

Mohamed Karlakwan Damala Bamba[1] (born May 12, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns. He is highly regarded due to his 7 ft 10 in (2.39 m) wingspan. He attended Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, New Hampshire before transferring to Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania and was considered one of the top high school prospects of the class of 2017.

Bamba was born on May 12, 1998 in Harlem, New York to Lancine Bamba and Aminata Bamba, who both emigrated from the Ivory Coast.[2][3][4] Bamba's grandparents were born and brought up in Mali.[3] His older brother, Sidiki Johnson, played college basketball at Arizona, Providence, and Wabash Valley.[5] Another member of his family, estranged half-brother Ibrahim Johnson, also played college basketball at multiple universities, including both Farmingdale State and Montevallo.[6][7] Bamba first became interested in basketball at age six, inspired by the game's popularity in his hometown.[3]

Before his sophomore year, Bamba transferred to Westtown School in Westtown, Pennsylvania.[3][8] As a junior he averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds, and six blocks per game. He played in the 2017 McDonald's All American Game and the Nike Hoop Summit.[9][10]

Enroll in the Best Vet Tech College near Duke MO

Duke MO vet tech holding dogPicking the appropriate vet tech college is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about veterinary technician programs need to make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Duke MO.

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