Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Spring Hill KS

How to Pick a Vet Tech School near Spring Hill Kansas

Spring Hill KS vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Spring Hill KS may at first seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a college that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the correct choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. After they have found some local schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the varied roles of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Spring Hill KS

cat with cone after surgery in Spring Hill KS Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Spring Hill KS veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to 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 veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Spring Hill

student attending online vet tech school in Spring Hill KS An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Spring Hill KS veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Spring Hill KS Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Spring Hill KS vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Spring Hill KS area and across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, 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 rigorous screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Spring Hill KS area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Kansas school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Spring Hill KS vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Spring Hill KS veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Spring Hill KS vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement 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 personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Spring Hill KS schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Spring Hill KS home, you have to make certain that the driving 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, particularly if the college is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the vet programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Spring Hill KS. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Spring Hill KS?

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

Spring Hill, Kansas

In 1856, James B. Hovey named the community after a town near Mobile, Alabama.[7] "Being somewhat enthusiastic in my estimation of its future, it having all advantages of timber and water, and on a line that must be traveled between Olathe and Paola, I concluded to myself, as there was no one else to conclude with, that this was a good place for a town." – J.B. Hovey, 1857 [8] The town was incorporated in 1857, and Hovey then served as the town's first postmaster. Also that year, Hovey built the first building in town, the Spring Hill Hotel. The two-story structure, also known as the "Old Traveler's Rest" was located on the highest elevation in town.[7]

In January 1859 Celia Ann Dayton, a doctor in Vermont, became the first woman doctor in the state of Kansas by moving to Spring Hill.[9] She arrived with her adopted son Hiram Eugene, also a doctor, and her husband Amos arrived a few months later. Hiram was killed in January 1862 during the American Civil War after being discovered as a spy for the Union. Also in 1862, Celia divorced her husband, which was very uncommon for the time period. Celia frequently aided black refugees, and is reported to have been part of the underground railroad.[8] In the fall of 1862, Spring Hill avoided Quantrill's Raiders entering the town when a farmer talked to them on their way. He calmly convinced them there were soldiers in town, when there were not. This deterred them from continuing. However, a year later in 1863, the Quantrill Raiders did march on Spring Hill, looting businesses in town and stealing from local farmers. At least one citizen was killed.[8]

By the 1870s, Spring Hill was growing in population and commerce.[7] However, a railroad to come right through the town wanted to bypass Spring Hill unless it paid $15,000 to grade the land there. The residents didn't want to share the costs, and the tracks were moved to approximately a half-mile east of the original town square.[10] The town's businesses then quickly moved to be closer to the train depot and tracks.[7] In 1874, the country's economic depression hit Spring Hill. Also that year, swarms of grasshoppers devoured plant life, then moved on to items such as clothes, blankets and shoes. Even leather harnesses, pitch fork handles, and fence posts were not immune to them. As a result, water sources were polluted, and gardens and crops were devastated. Livestock were nearly inedible.[8]

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Spring Hill KS

Spring Hill KS vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal veterinary technician college is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician schools need to make their determination based on a number of key factors. 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 when 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 applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Spring Hill KS.