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How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near Lafayette Indiana

Lafayette IN vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Lafayette IN may at first seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and contrasting programs so that you can make the best choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. After they have found some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important factors when assessing vet tech programs, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the different roles of vet techs and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Lafayette IN

cat with cone after surgery in Lafayette IN One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many jobs that they can carry out within the Lafayette IN veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Lafayette

student attending online vet tech school in Lafayette IN An option that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can attend 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 most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Lafayette IN veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm 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 practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Lafayette IN Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Lafayette IN vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Lafayette IN area as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that confirms you will get 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Lafayette IN area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Indiana school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Lafayette IN veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Lafayette IN veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Lafayette IN vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lafayette IN colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Lafayette IN home, you need to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending 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 determine if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible 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 Lafayette IN. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lafayette IN?

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

Lafayette

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech Program near Lafayette IN

Lafayette IN vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students looking into veterinary technician schools must make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided 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 choosing the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lafayette IN.