Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Wellington KS

How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Wellington Kansas

Wellington KS vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Wellington KS could at first feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. Once they have located some local colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important factors when evaluating vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are considering before you make a final choice. 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 responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Wellington KS

cat with cone after surgery in Wellington KS One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many tasks that they can perform within the Wellington KS veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and usually obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Wellington

student attending online vet tech school in Wellington KS An option that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Wellington KS veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, such as for travel and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Wellington KS Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Wellington KS vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Wellington KS area as well as across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Wellington KS area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Kansas school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Wellington KS veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Wellington KS veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low 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, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Wellington KS veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Wellington KS programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of 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 teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Wellington KS home, you have to make certain that the commuting time fits into 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. In addition, 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 state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you determine if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Wellington KS. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Wellington KS?

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

Wellington, Kansas

Wellington was platted in 1871 and named for the Duke of Wellington.[7] It was designated as the Sumner County seat in 1872, winning out over Sumner City according to the Wellington library. Cattle herders coming up the Chisholm Trail helped to build the early town's economy.[8]

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a north-south branch line from Herington through Wellington to Caldwell.[10] Creditors foreclosed on it 1891 and the railroad was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island".

Wellington is located at 37°16′2″N 97°24′0″W / 37.26722°N 97.40000°W / 37.26722; -97.40000 (37.267289, -97.400061),[11] at an elevation of 1230 feet.[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.19 square miles (21.21 km2), of which, 7.61 square miles (19.71 km2) is land and 0.58 square miles (1.50 km2) is water.[1]

Select the Right Vet Tech School near Wellington KS

Wellington KS vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician school is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their determination based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, 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 online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Wellington KS.