Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Thibodaux LA - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Select a Veterinary Technician Program near Thibodaux Louisiana

Thibodaux LA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Thibodaux LA may initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. Once they have located some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different roles of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Thibodaux LA

cat with cone after surgery in Thibodaux LA Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a vet 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 training, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many jobs that they can carry out within the Thibodaux LA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. 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 involved with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and generally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts 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 involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. 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 job opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Thibodaux LA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Thibodaux

student attending online vet tech school in Thibodaux LA An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Thibodaux LA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for instance for commuting and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. 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 clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech school may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Thibodaux LA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Thibodaux LA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Thibodaux LA area and across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier 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 an extensive review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Thibodaux LA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start 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 internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Louisiana school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Thibodaux LA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Thibodaux LA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate may indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Thibodaux LA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Thibodaux LA programs you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Thibodaux LA home, you must confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, 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 near or in a large city. Also, 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 fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the vet programs you are exploring 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 Thibodaux LA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Thibodaux LA?

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

Thibodaux, Louisiana

Thibodaux (/ˈtɪbədoʊ/ TIB-ə-doh) is a city in and the parish seat of Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States,[4] along the banks of Bayou Lafourche in the northwestern part of the parish. The population was 14,567 at the 2010 census. Thibodaux is a principal city of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The first European colonists were French, who settled here in the 18th century when the area was claimed as part of La Louisiane. They imported African slaves as workers and developed sugar cane plantations.

This was incorporated as a town in 1830 under the name Thibodauxville, in honor of local planter Henry Schuyler Thibodaux. He provided land for the village center and served as acting governor of Louisiana in 1824.[5] The area was developed in the antebellum period for sugar cane plantations, and Thibodaux was the trading center of the agricultural area. The name was changed to Thibodeaux in 1838. The current spelling Thibodaux was officially adopted in 1918.

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician College near Thibodaux LA

Thibodaux LA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students thinking about vet tech schools need to make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Thibodaux LA.