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How to Find the Right Vet Tech Program near Dover Kansas

Dover KS vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Dover KS could at first feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a school that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the right choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. After they have found some local schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant concerns when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Dover KS

cat with cone after surgery in Dover KS Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish 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 principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many jobs that they can perform within the Dover KS veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed 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 trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex activities, such as assisting with surgeries. A few 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 go through more extensive training compared to assistants and normally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist 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 examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Dover KS labs or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Dover

student attending online vet tech school in Dover KS An approach that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Dover KS veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for travel and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech program may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Dover KS Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Dover KS vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Dover KS area and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously 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 demanding screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Dover KS area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Kansas school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Dover KS veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Dover KS veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job 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. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Dover KS veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Dover KS colleges you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Dover KS home, you have to confirm that the driving 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 campus is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the vet schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Dover KS. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Dover KS?

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

Dover, Kansas

Dover is an unincorporated community on the banks of Mission Creek in western Shawnee County, Kansas, United States. Founded in 1860, it was once a larger community, but it declined for most of the 20th century. Today a few commercial buildings remain at the intersection of K-4 Highway and 57th Street, but it is mainly a residential area. A newly founded Dover Community Foundation has been created to support the growth of the community and retention of its history. Camp Daisy Hindman, a rather large Girl Scout camp, is located 2 miles south of the town. 1½ miles west of town is a 50 ft high cliff known as Echo Cliff.

Dover was made a voting precinct of Auburn township, October 1, 1860, and in the fall of 1867, was erected into a township. E.M. Hewins was the first trustee; Jacob Haskell and George Harden, Justices. The first postmaster was Alfred Sage, appointed in 1862. The family name, Sage, is still widespread in the area today.

During its peak years, Dover had a match factory, a wagon making business, two grist mills, two blacksmiths, an Inn and Stage Coach Station, livery stable, General Store, three cheese factories. When looking at output figures, two of the largest cheese factories in the US were in Dover. The stone house cheese factory, built between 1856 and 1865 still stands today. The stone 1878 Sage Inn & Stage Coach Station, and the General Store built in 1900 also survive.

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Dover KS

Dover KS vet tech holding dog Selecting the right vet tech college is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into veterinary technician 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 typically handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Dover KS.