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How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Atlantic North Carolina

Atlantic NC vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Atlantic NC may initially seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you have to find and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. Once they have located some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when assessing vet technician programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Atlantic NC

cat with cone after surgery in Atlantic NC One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Atlantic NC veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, 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 techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and usually obtain a 2 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 stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Atlantic NC laboratories or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Atlantic

student attending online vet tech school in Atlantic NC An approach that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Atlantic NC veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study materials, can be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Atlantic NC Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Atlantic NC vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Atlantic NC area as well as across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Atlantic NC area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the North Carolina school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Atlantic NC veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Atlantic NC veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate may mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Atlantic NC veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Atlantic NC programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Atlantic NC home, you need to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the vet schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Atlantic NC. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Atlantic NC?

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

NC State Wolfpack football

The NC State Wolfpack football team represents North Carolina State University in the sport of American football. The Wolfpack competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Prior to joining the ACC in 1953, the Wolfpack were a member of the Southern Conference. As a founding member of the ACC, the Wolfpack has won seven conference championships and participated in 31 bowl games, of which the team has won 17, including eight of their last eleven. NC State is currently coached by Dave Doeren.

Since 1966, the Wolfpack has played its home games at Carter–Finley Stadium. On September 16, 2010, NC State restored the tradition of having a live mascot on the field as a wolf-like Tamaskan Dog named Tuffy was on the sidelines for the Cincinnati game in Raleigh.[3] Since then, Tuffy has not missed a Wolfpack football game in Carter–Finley Stadium.

NC State (then known as The North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts) played its first football game against a team from the Raleigh Male Academy on March 12, 1892 in what is now Pullen Park.[4][5] The team's first head coach was Perrin Busbee, who led the team during that game.[6] The Aggies, whose colors were blue and pink, won 12-6 in front of more than 200 spectators.[4][5] The following year, the school played its first intercollegiate game: a 12-6 victory over Tennessee College.[7] The program's long-standing rivalry with nearby University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill began on October 12, 1894 with a 44-0 UNC victory in Chapel Hill.[8] Eight days later, the team (then called the Farmers) lost again to UNC, 16-0 in Raleigh.[9] In 1895, under third-year coach Bart Gatling, the team finished 2–2–1[10] and wore red and white uniforms for the first time.[7] Over the next five seasons the program continued to try to establish itself, achieving only one winning season during the period. The football team has also only had scholarship football players since 1933, prior to that all Wolfpack athletics consisted entirely of non-scholarship student athletes.

Choose the Right Veterinary Technician School near Atlantic NC

Atlantic NC vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech college is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician colleges must make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Atlantic NC.