Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Greencastle IN

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Greencastle Indiana

Greencastle IN vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Greencastle IN could initially feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the right selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. After they have located some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Greencastle IN

cat with cone after surgery in Greencastle IN Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many jobs that they can perform within the Greencastle IN veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four 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 work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Greencastle

student attending online vet tech school in Greencastle IN 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 training program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Greencastle IN veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech program may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Greencastle IN Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Greencastle IN vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Greencastle IN area and across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Greencastle IN area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Indiana school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Greencastle IN veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Greencastle IN veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum 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 ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Greencastle IN veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate 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 sized, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Greencastle IN programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Greencastle IN home, you need to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinary schools 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 Greencastle IN. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Greencastle IN?

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

Greencastle, Indiana

Greencastle is a city in Greencastle Township, Putnam County, Indiana, United States, and the county seat of Putnam County.[5] It was founded in 1821 by Ephraim Dukes on a land grant. He named the settlement for his hometown of Greencastle, Pennsylvania.[6] Greencastle was a village or town operating under authority of the Putnam County commissioners until March 9, 1849, when it became a town by special act of the local legislature. Greencastle, Indiana, officially became a city after an election held on July 8, 1861.[7] The first mayor of Greencastle was E. R. Kercheval, a member (during his lifetime) of the Freemason Temple Lodge #47. The city became the county seat of Putnam County.[5] The population was 10,326 at the 2010 census.[8] It is located near Interstate 70 approximately halfway between Terre Haute and Indianapolis in the west-central portion of the state. Greencastle is well known as being the location of DePauw University.

Greencastle's public schools are operated by the Greencastle Community School Corporation.[9] The Greencastle School Corporation consists of one Central Office; one High School, Greencastle High School,[10] which hosts grades 9th through 12th; one Middle School, Greencastle Middle School,[11] which hosts grades 6th through 8th; one Intermediate School, Tzouanakis Intermediate School,[12] which hosts grades 3rd through 5th and two Primary Schools, Martha J. Ridpath Primary School (also known as Ridpath Primary) and Deer Meadow Primary School[13] which each host kindergarten through 2nd grade.

Peace Lutheran School[14] is a private school in Greencastle, Indiana, which according to their website is "an outreach of Peace Lutheran Church." It was founded in 1984 as a preschool. In 1995, kindergarten was added as a half-day program. The year 2002 marked the beginning of the Primary School with the addition of 5th grade. (In Indiana, Primary Schools are typically interpreted as 1st through 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grades.) As of 2011, the school hosts grades kindergarten through 6th grade.

Choose the Best Veterinary Technician College near Greencastle IN

Greencastle IN vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate vet tech school is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into veterinary technician colleges must make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Greencastle IN.