Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Bonnieville KY

How to Find the Right Vet Tech Program near Bonnieville Kentucky

Bonnieville KY vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Bonnieville KY could initially feel like a challenging task. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will provide the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the best choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. When they have found some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when assessing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Bonnieville KY

cat with cone after surgery in Bonnieville KY One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Bonnieville KY veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern 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 techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities 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 compared with assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist 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 additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Bonnieville KY labs or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Bonnieville

student attending online vet tech school in Bonnieville KY An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Bonnieville KY veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. 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 mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Bonnieville KY Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Bonnieville KY vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Bonnieville KY area as well as across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician program 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 gone through an extensive review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Bonnieville KY area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent 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 pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Kentucky school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Bonnieville KY vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Bonnieville KY veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate may signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Bonnieville KY veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Bonnieville KY programs you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations 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 Campus Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Bonnieville KY home, you have to make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, 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 close by a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Bonnieville KY. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Bonnieville KY?

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

Bonnieville, Kentucky

Founded in 1849, the town was originally known as Bacon Creek,[2] for the stream that runs through the city. It is rumored that the name was changed to Bonnieville because of the popularity of the song "My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean".[3]

On December 26, 1862, the Confederate John Hunt Morgan sent a detachment from Upton to the bridge over Bacon Creek in Bonnieville. A brief firefight with a detachment of the 2nd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment resulted with the destruction of the bridge for a third time and the wounding of 23. The railroad remained closed for six weeks until the tracks could be repaired and reopened on February 1.[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2), all land. U.S. Route 31W passes through the middle of Bonnieville, with most of the city concentrated around this highway's two intersections with Kentucky Route 728. Bonnieville is accessible from Exit 71 on Interstate 65. Part of the original main line of the historic Louisville and Nashville Railroad (now CSX) passes through the city. Bacon Creek, a tributary of the Nolin River, bisects the city.

Choose the Best Vet Tech School near Bonnieville KY

Bonnieville KY vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate vet tech school is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech colleges must make their determination based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Bonnieville KY.