Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Bunker Hill IN

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near Bunker Hill Indiana

Bunker Hill IN vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Bunker Hill IN might initially seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will furnish the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their residences. When they have located some local colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important factors when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Bunker Hill IN

cat with cone after surgery in Bunker Hill IN Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Bunker Hill IN veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and generally obtain a 2 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 duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. Therefore the main distinction 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 possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Bunker Hill IN labs or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Bunker Hill

student attending online vet tech school in Bunker Hill IN An approach that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Bunker Hill IN veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for commuting and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make certain 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 furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Bunker Hill IN Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Bunker Hill IN vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like 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, technical and vocational schools in the Bunker Hill IN area as well as across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Bunker Hill IN area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Indiana school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Bunker Hill IN veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Bunker Hill IN veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate might suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Bunker Hill IN vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Bunker Hill IN programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Bunker Hill IN home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out 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 larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Bunker Hill IN. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Bunker Hill IN?

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

Battle of Bunker Hill

The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought on June 17, 1775, during the Siege of Boston in the early stages of the American Revolutionary War. The battle is named after Bunker Hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts, which was peripherally involved in the battle. It was the original objective of both the colonial and British troops, though the majority of combat took place on the adjacent hill which later became known as Breed's Hill.[5][6]

On June 13, 1775, the leaders of the colonial forces besieging Boston learned that the British were planning to send troops out from the city to fortify the unoccupied hills surrounding the city, which would give them control of Boston Harbor. In response, 1,200 colonial troops under the command of William Prescott stealthily occupied Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill. During the night, the colonists constructed a strong redoubt on Breed's Hill, as well as smaller fortified lines across the Charlestown Peninsula.[7]

By daybreak of June 17, the British became aware of the presence of colonial forces on the Peninsula and mounted an attack against them that day. Two assaults on the colonial positions were repulsed with significant British casualties; the third and final attack carried the redoubt after the defenders ran out of ammunition. The colonists retreated to Cambridge over Bunker Hill, leaving the British in control of the Peninsula.[8]

Select the Right Vet Tech College near Bunker Hill IN

Bunker Hill IN vet tech holding dog Picking the right vet tech program is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician programs need to make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing 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 achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Bunker Hill IN.