Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Cumberland KY

How to Pick a Vet Tech Program near Cumberland Kentucky

Cumberland KY vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Cumberland KY could initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting schools so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their homes. Once they have located some local colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are considering before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Cumberland KY

cat with cone after surgery in Cumberland KY Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Cumberland KY veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. 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 duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern 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 techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to assistants and typically earn 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 basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Cumberland KY laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Cumberland

student attending online vet tech school in Cumberland KY An option 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 program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Cumberland KY veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Cumberland KY Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Cumberland KY vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Cumberland KY area as well as across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously 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 screening process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Cumberland KY area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Kentucky school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Cumberland KY 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 there Internship Programs? The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Cumberland KY veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate could indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed 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 may mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the Cumberland KY veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify 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 most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Cumberland KY schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Cumberland KY home, you need to confirm 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in 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 increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you determine if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible 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 Cumberland KY. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Cumberland KY?

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

University of the Cumberlands

University of the Cumberlands is a private, religious college located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, with an enrollment of approximately 7,000 students. The school, known as Cumberland College until January 7, 2005, is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention, the Kentucky affiliate of the Southern Baptist Convention.

University of the Cumberlands, first called Williamsburg Institute, was founded on January 7, 1889. At the 1887 annual meeting of the Mount Zion Association, representatives from 18 eastern Kentucky Baptist churches discussed plans to provide higher education in the Kentucky mountains. The college was incorporated by the Kentucky state legislature on April 6, 1888. In 1907 the school bought the three buildings of Highland College, and in 1913, Williamsburg Institute's name was changed to Cumberland College. The name reflected the institution's location along the Cumberland River and its proximity to Cumberland Falls and the Cumberland Gap. From its inception, the institution has been affiliated with the Baptist Church, and its mission has been to educate and prepare leaders for service to the greater community. On the basis of being controlled by the Kentucky Baptist Convention and being bound by its policies, the university has requested and received exemptions from Title IX in the areas of "admissions, recruitment, education programs or activities, and employment", allowing it to discriminate in those fields based on its views regarding "marriage, sex outside of marriage, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and abortion."[3]

Although founded as a senior college, in 1918 Cumberland College officially became a junior college. The college received its first accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in 1931. In 1956 the Board of Trustees began bringing the college back to senior college status. The junior year was added in 1959-60 and the senior year in 1960-61. SACS granted initial accreditation to the institution as a senior college in December 1964. Since then, SACS has reaffirmed the college's accreditation in 1974, 1985, 1995, and 2006. It is next scheduled for reaffirmation in 2016.

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician School near Cumberland KY

Cumberland KY vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal veterinary technician college is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students considering veterinary technician schools must make their determination based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. 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 options so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Cumberland KY.