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How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Lexington North Carolina

Lexington NC vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Lexington NC might initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach assessing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their homes. After they have identified some local colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Lexington NC

cat with cone after surgery in Lexington NC Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many duties that they can carry out within the Lexington NC veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to assistants and usually earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists may 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 Lexington NC labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Lexington

student attending online vet tech school in Lexington NC An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Lexington NC veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for commuting and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Lexington NC Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Lexington NC vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Lexington NC area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Lexington NC area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the North Carolina school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Lexington NC vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Lexington NC veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate might signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Lexington NC vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Lexington NC schools you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Lexington NC home, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the vet colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lexington NC. Others 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. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lexington NC?

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

Lexington, North Carolina

Lexington is the county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 18,931.[4] It is located in central North Carolina, 20 miles (32 km) south of Winston-Salem. Major highways include I-85, I-85B, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 70, U.S. Route 52 (soon to be I-285) and U.S. Route 64. Lexington is part of the Piedmont Triad region of the state.

Lexington, Thomasville, and the rural areas surrounding them are slowly developing as residential bedroom communities for nearby cities such as Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point and, to a lesser extent, Charlotte and its northeastern suburbs.[5]

The Lexington area was at least sparsely settled by Europeans in 1775. The settlers named their community in honor of Lexington, Massachusetts, the site of the first skirmish of the American Revolutionary War. Lexington was incorporated as a city in 1828. Silver Hill Mine, located a few miles south of Lexington, opened in 1838, and was the first operating silver mine in the country.[citation needed]

Select the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Lexington NC

Lexington NC vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal vet tech school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their determination based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Lexington NC.