Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Clarksburg WV

How to Select a Vet Tech School near Clarksburg West Virginia

Clarksburg WV vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Clarksburg WV may initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the right choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their homes. Once they have identified some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important considerations when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Clarksburg WV

cat with cone after surgery in Clarksburg WV Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Clarksburg WV veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. 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 involved with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared with assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required 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 urgent care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Clarksburg WV labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Clarksburg

student attending online vet tech school in Clarksburg WV An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Clarksburg WV veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Clarksburg WV Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Clarksburg WV vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want 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, vocational and technical schools in the Clarksburg WV area as well as across the USA, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Clarksburg WV area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the West Virginia school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Clarksburg WV vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs established with Clarksburg WV veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate may suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Clarksburg WV veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Clarksburg WV programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Clarksburg WV home, you need to make certain that the commuting 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 school is located close by or within 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 fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Clarksburg WV. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Clarksburg WV?

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

Clarksburg, West Virginia

Clarksburg is a city in and the county seat of Harrison County, West Virginia, United States, in the north-central region of the state. The population of the city was 16,578 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Clarksburg, WV Micropolitan Statistical Area, which had a population of 94,221 in 2014.[5] Clarksburg was named National Small City of the Year in 2011 by the National League of Cities.

The first known non-indigenous visitor to the area that later became Clarksburg was John Simpson,[6] a trapper, who in 1764 located his camp on the West Fork River opposite the mouth of Elk Creek at approximately 39°16′53″N 80°21′05″W / 39.28128°N 80.35145°W / 39.28128; -80.35145 (39.28128, -80.35145)[7]

As early as 1772, settlers began claiming lands near where Clarksburg now stands, and building cabins. In 1773, Major Daniel Davisson (1748-1819) took up 400 acres (1.6 km2), upon which the principal part of the town is now located. By 1774, people settling near present Clarksburg included: Daniel Davisson, Obadiah Davisson (Daniel's father), Amaziah Davisson (Daniel's uncle), Thomas, John, and Matthew Nutter, Samuel and Andrew Cottrill (brothers), Sotha Hickman, and Samuel Beard. Undoubtedly, others located on these public lands, of which no official records were made.[6] The Virginia General Assembly authorized the town of Clarksburg in 1785. Now a city, it is named for General George Rogers Clark, a Virginian who conducted many expeditions against the British and Indians during the Indian Wars and the war of the American Revolution, including the strategically critical capture of Fort of Vincennes, now in the State of Indiana, in 1778.[8]

Select the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Clarksburg WV

Clarksburg WV vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech program is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet tech programs must make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Clarksburg WV.