Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Plainfield WI

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Plainfield Wisconsin

Plainfield WI vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Plainfield WI could 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 so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the right choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. Once they have identified some area colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when evaluating vet tech programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Plainfield WI

cat with cone after surgery in Plainfield WI One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Plainfield WI veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental 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 complex duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Plainfield WI labs or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Plainfield

student attending online vet tech school in Plainfield WI An option that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Plainfield WI veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for travel and study supplies, can be more affordable 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 courses 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 perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Plainfield WI Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Plainfield WI vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Plainfield WI area as well as across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for a number of Plainfield WI area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Plainfield WI veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs established with Plainfield WI veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed 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 may signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Plainfield WI vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Plainfield WI schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Plainfield WI home, you have to confirm that the driving time fits into 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 college is located near or in 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 higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Plainfield WI. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Plainfield WI?

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

Plainfield, Wisconsin

Plainfield is a village in Waushara County, Wisconsin, United States. The village is located almost entirely within the Town of Plainfield. A tiny portion extends into adjacent Town of Oasis. The population was 897 at the 2010 census.

Plainfield is located at 44°12′42″N 89°29′34″W / 44.21167°N 89.49278°W / 44.21167; -89.49278 (44.211943, -89.492803).[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.61 square miles (4.17 km2), all of it land.[1]

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 862 people, 315 households, and 223 families residing in the village. The population density was 535.4 inhabitants per square mile (206.7/km2). There were 371 housing units at an average density of 230.4 per square mile (89.0/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 90.5% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 7.3% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.0% of the population.

Enroll in the Best Vet Tech College near Plainfield WI

Plainfield WI vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician college is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students looking into veterinary technician colleges must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Plainfield WI.