Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Elizabethtown KY

How to Find the Right Vet Tech School near Elizabethtown Kentucky

Elizabethtown KY vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Elizabethtown KY could at first feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the ideal choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their residences. When they have identified some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important factors when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Elizabethtown KY

cat with cone after surgery in Elizabethtown KY One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Elizabethtown KY veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice 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 veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and typically 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 vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. 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 job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Elizabethtown

student attending online vet tech school in Elizabethtown KY An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Elizabethtown KY veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, such as for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified 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 independent mode, an online vet tech program may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Elizabethtown KY Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Elizabethtown KY vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Elizabethtown KY area as well as across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Elizabethtown KY area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Kentucky school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Elizabethtown KY veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs established with Elizabethtown KY veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Elizabethtown KY veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Elizabethtown KY programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Elizabethtown KY home, you have to make sure 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you find out if the vet schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Elizabethtown KY. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Elizabethtown KY?

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

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Elizabethtown is a home rule-class city[2] and the county seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 28,531 at the 2010 census,[3] and was estimated at 29,906 by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2016, making it the 11th-largest city in the state.[4] It is included in (and the principal city of) the Elizabethtown–Fort Knox, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Louisville/Jefferson County–Elizabethtown–Madison, Kentucky-Indiana Combined Statistical Area.

Elizabethtown is in east-central Hardin County, about 15 miles (24 km) south of Fort Knox. Interstate 65 passes through the southeast side of the city, leading north-northeast 45 miles (72 km) to Louisville and southwest 71 miles (114 km) to Bowling Green. The Western Kentucky Parkway starts at I-65 in Elizabethtown and leads west 138 miles (222 km) to Eddyville. To the east, the Bluegrass Parkway leads 105 miles (169 km) to Lexington.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Elizabethtown has a total area of 25.8 square miles (67 km2), of which 25.4 square miles (66 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1 km2) (1.77%) is water.[3]

Choose the Ideal Vet Tech School near Elizabethtown KY

Elizabethtown KY vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about vet tech colleges must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Elizabethtown KY.