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How to Select a Vet Tech Program near Hays Kansas

Hays KS vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Hays KS may initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. When they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important factors when assessing vet technician programs, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the varied duties of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Hays KS

cat with cone after surgery in Hays KS Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Hays KS veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a formal 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 veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to assistants and typically earn 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 fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Hays

student attending online vet tech school in Hays KS An alternative that might make sense 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. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Hays KS veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Hays KS Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Hays KS vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Hays KS area and across the USA, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of 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 review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Hays KS area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Kansas school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Hays KS veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Hays KS veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate may mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Hays KS vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Hays KS colleges you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Hays KS home, you must make certain that the driving 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, particularly if the school is located in or close by 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 increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Hays KS. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Hays KS?

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

Hays, Kansas

Hays is a city in and the county seat of Ellis County, Kansas, United States.[5] The largest city in northwestern Kansas, it is the economic and cultural center of the region.[6][7] It is also a college town, home to Fort Hays State University.[8] As of the 2010 census, the city population was 20,510.[9]

Prior to American settlement of the area, the site of Hays was located near where the territories of the Arapaho, Kiowa, and Pawnee met.[10] Claimed first by France as part of Louisiana and later acquired by the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, it lay within the area organized by the U.S. as Kansas Territory in 1854.[11][12] Kansas became a state in 1861, and the state government delineated the surrounding area as Ellis County in 1867.[11][13]

In 1865, the U.S. Army established Fort Fletcher southeast of present-day Hays to protect stagecoaches traveling the Smoky Hill Trail. A year later, the Army renamed the post Fort Hays in honor of the late Brig. Gen. Alexander Hays.[14] In late 1866, anticipating the construction of the Kansas Pacific Railway as far west as Fort Hays, a party from St. Louis, Missouri led by William Webb selected three sections of land for colonization near the fort.[15] In June 1867, to better serve the railroad, the Army relocated Fort Hays 15 miles northwest to a site near where the railroad was to cross Big Creek, a tributary of the Smoky Hill River. Seeing a business opportunity, Buffalo Bill Cody and railroad contractor William Rose founded the settlement of Rome, Kansas near the fort's new location. Within a month, the population of Rome grew to over 2,000. Webb, meanwhile, established the Big Creek Land Company and then surveyed and platted a town site, which he named Hays City after the fort, roughly one mile east of Rome. The railroad reached Hays City soon thereafter and constructed a depot there. The railroad's arrival, combined with a cholera epidemic that hit Rome in the late summer of 1867, drove Rome businesses and residents to relocate to Hays City. Within a year, Rome was completely abandoned.[16][17] As the western terminus of the railway, Hays City grew rapidly, serving as the supply point for territories to the west and southwest.[15][18]

Enroll in the Right Veterinary Technician School near Hays KS

Hays KS vet tech holding dog Choosing the right veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician programs must make their selection based on multiple 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 animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. 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 narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Hays KS.