How to Enroll In a Vet Tech Program near Jennings Kansas
Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Jennings KS might at first feel like a challenging task. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the right choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. When they have identified some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when assessing vet technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech programs you are considering 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 explore the varied roles of vet techs and the training options offered.
The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Jennings KS
Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Jennings KS veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, 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 execution of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. 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 in contrast to assistants and generally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet techs and technologists may 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 Jennings KS labs or research facilities as well.
Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Jennings
An option that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Jennings KS veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for traveling and study materials, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program 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 provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Jennings KS Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Jennings KS area as well as across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Jennings KS area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Kansas school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Jennings KS veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Jennings KS veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by way of 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 vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Jennings KS veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance 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 one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Jennings KS programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Jennings KS home, you have to make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college 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 state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Jennings KS. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.
Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Jennings KS?
If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Jennings Kansas area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.
Jennings, Kansas
The Jennings train depot was burned to the ground in August 1893. This is said to have been because the depot cat knocked over a kerosene lamp. Igniting nearby hay bales, leading to the loss of the depot overall.[citation needed]
Jennings is located at 39°40′49″N 100°17′38″W / 39.68028°N 100.29389°W / 39.68028; -100.29389 (39.680197, -100.293918).[14] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.27 square miles (0.70 km2), all of it land.[1]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 96 people, 50 households, and 30 families residing in the city. The population density was 355.6 inhabitants per square mile (137.3/km2). There were 89 housing units at an average density of 329.6 per square mile (127.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.0% White and 1.0% from two or more races.
Choose the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Jennings KS
Selecting the ideal vet tech college is an important first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students looking into veterinary technician schools need to make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as 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 field. This goes for vet tech online programs 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 decision. And by selecting the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Jennings KS.
Other Doggone Good Cities in Kansas
Business Results 1 - 10 of 1
1 Reviews 