How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Blair West Virginia
Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Blair WV might initially feel like a challenging endeavor. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the best selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their homes. When they have found some local colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.
The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Blair WV
One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Blair WV veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual duties 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 compared to assistants and typically earn 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 fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
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 Blair WV laboratories or research facilities as well.
Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Blair
An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Blair WV veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for commuting and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Blair WV Veterinary Technician Schools
By now you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Blair WV area and across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Blair WV area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the West Virginia school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Blair WV veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Blair WV veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate could signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Blair WV veterinary community and has a considerable 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 assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Blair WV programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Blair WV home, you must confirm 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough 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 Blair WV. Others might only be able to go to classes 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 work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.
Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Blair WV?
If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Blair West Virginia area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.
Battle of Blair Mountain
The conflict occurred in Logan County, West Virginia, as part of the Coal Wars, a series of early-20th-century labor disputes in Appalachia. Tensions rose between workers and mine management, and for five days from late August to early September 1921, some 10,000 armed coal miners confronted 3,000 lawmen and strikebreakers, called the Logan Defenders,[4] who were backed by coal mine operators during the miners' attempt to unionize the southwestern West Virginia coalfields. The battle ended after approximately one million rounds were fired[5] and the United States Army intervened by presidential order.[6] Up to 100 people were killed, and many more arrested. The United Mine Workers saw major declines in membership, but the long-term publicity led to some improvements in working conditions.
On May 19, 1920, 12 Baldwin-Felts agents, including Lee Felts, arrived in Matewan, West Virginia and promptly met with Albert Felts, who was already in the area. Albert and Lee were the brothers of Thomas Felts, the co-owner and director of the agency. Albert had already been in the area and had tried to bribe Mayor Testerman with $500 to place machine guns on roofs in the town; Testerman refused.[7] That afternoon Albert and Lee along with 11 other men set out to the Stone Mountain Coal Co. property. The first family they evicted was a woman and her children; the woman's husband was not home at the time. They forced them out at gunpoint and threw their belongings in the road under a light but steady rain. The miners who saw it were furious, and sent word to town.[8]
As the agents walked to the train station to leave town, Police Chief Sid Hatfield and a group of deputized miners confronted them and told them they were under arrest. Albert Felts replied that in fact he had a warrant for Hatfield's arrest.[9] Testerman was alerted, and he ran out into the street after a miner shouted that Sid had been arrested. Hatfield backed into the store and Testerman asked to see the warrant. After reviewing it, the mayor exclaimed, "This is a bogus warrant." With these words, a gunfight erupted and Hatfield shot Albert Felts. Testerman and Albert and Lee Felts were among the ten men killed (three from the town and seven from the agency).[9]
Select the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Blair WV
Selecting the appropriate vet tech school is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students looking into veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Blair WV.
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