Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Clearfield KY

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Clearfield Kentucky

Clearfield KY vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Clearfield KY might initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the right selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. After they have identified some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant factors when comparing vet technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Clearfield KY

cat with cone after surgery in Clearfield KY Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Clearfield KY veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and generally acquire a two 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 basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Clearfield KY laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Clearfield

student attending online vet tech school in Clearfield KY An option that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Clearfield KY veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for travel and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Clearfield KY Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Clearfield KY vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Clearfield KY area as well as across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, 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 demanding review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many Clearfield KY area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Kentucky school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Clearfield KY veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Clearfield KY 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 relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Clearfield KY veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Clearfield KY programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors 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 consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Clearfield KY home, you must make sure 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 large city. In addition, if you do decide 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. Of course taking online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the vet schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Clearfield KY. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Clearfield KY?

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

Rowan County, Kentucky

Rowan County (/ˈroʊ.ɪn/) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,333.[1] Its county seat is Morehead.[2] The county was created in 1856 from parts of Fleming and Morgan counties, and named after John Rowan, who represented Kentucky in the U.S. House and Senate.[3]

With regard to the sale of alcohol, it is classified as a moist county—a county in which alcohol sales are prohibited (a dry county), but containing a "wet" city, in this case Morehead, where package alcohol sales are allowed.[4]

It is believed that Rowan County was first explored by those of European descent in 1773 by a party of surveyors from Pennsylvania. The first settlement was established in Farmers, a town 10 miles west of Morehead. Its population rapidly increased due its fertile farming land and proximity to water sources. Additional settlers came to Rowan County from Virginia in the late 18th century after being awarded land grants at the end of the American Revolutionary War. Clearfield was the second settlement established in the county, being colonized by a Virginia aristocrat named Dixon Clack in the early 1800s. It accommodated the first sawmill in the county.[5]

Pick the Ideal Vet Tech Program near Clearfield KY

Clearfield KY vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right vet tech program is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Clearfield KY.