Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Statesville NC

How to Pick a Vet Tech School near Statesville North Carolina

Statesville NC vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Statesville NC could initially seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the correct choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their residences. After they have found some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make a final choice. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Statesville NC

cat with cone after surgery in Statesville NC One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Statesville NC veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Statesville NC laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Statesville

student attending online vet tech school in Statesville NC An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Statesville NC veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Statesville NC Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Statesville NC vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Statesville NC area and across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Statesville NC area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the North Carolina school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Statesville NC veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with Statesville NC veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate might signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Statesville NC vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Statesville NC programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Statesville NC home, you need to make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, 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 near or in a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Statesville NC. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family issues. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Statesville NC?

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

Statesville, North Carolina

Statesville is a city in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 24,532 at the 2010 census,[4] and was estimated at 26,506 in 2016.[1] It is the county seat of Iredell County and is part of the Charlotte metropolitan area.[5]

Statesville is in central Iredell County, in the western part of the Piedmont region of North Carolina. Interstate 40 and Interstate 77 intersect in the northeastern part of the city. I-40 leads northeast 41 miles (66 km) to Winston-Salem and west 30 miles (48 km) to Hickory, while I-77 leads north 55 miles (89 km) to the Virginia border and south 42 miles (68 km) to Charlotte. Three U.S. highways run through the center of Statesville. US 21 follows the same general route as I-77, leading north 38 miles (61 km) to Elkin and south 15 miles (24 km) to Mooresville. US 64 runs to the northeast close to I-40, leading 24 miles (39 km) to Mocksville, while to the northwest it leads 43 miles (69 km) to Lenoir. US 70 runs southwest out of Statesville 13 miles (21 km) to Catawba and southeast 25 miles (40 km) to Salisbury.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Statesville has a total area of 24.4 square miles (63.1 km2), of which 24.2 square miles (62.8 km2) are land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km2), or 0.48%, are water.[4] The north side of Statesville is drained by Fourth Creek, while the south side is drained by Third Creek. Both creeks flow east, joining just before reaching the South Yadkin River near Cooleemee.

Choose the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Statesville NC

Statesville NC vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician programs must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients 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 online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Statesville NC.