Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Fort Thomas KY

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near Fort Thomas Kentucky

Fort Thomas KY vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Fort Thomas KY might initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will furnish the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. After they have found some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when evaluating vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are considering before you make a final choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Fort Thomas KY

cat with cone after surgery in Fort Thomas KY Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Fort Thomas KY veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and typically obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated functions, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Fort Thomas

student attending online vet tech school in Fort Thomas KY An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Fort Thomas KY veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for commuting and study materials, may 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 courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Fort Thomas KY Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Fort Thomas KY vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Fort Thomas KY area and across the Country, you need to 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 the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for many Fort Thomas KY area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional 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 checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Kentucky school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Fort Thomas KY veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Fort Thomas KY veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Fort Thomas KY veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Fort Thomas KY colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Fort Thomas KY home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or near 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 fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an option 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 veterinarian 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 Fort Thomas KY. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Fort Thomas KY?

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

Fort Thomas, Kentucky

Fort Thomas is a home rule-class city[2] in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States, on the southern bank of the Ohio River and the site of an 1890 US Army post. The population was 16,325 at the 2010 census, making it the largest city in Campbell County and it is officially part of the Cincinnati – Northern Kentucky metropolitan area.

Evidence suggests that on or around 1749, prior to settlement by Europeans, a large battle occurred between a band of Cherokee Native Americans and victorious Miami tribe and Shawnee tribe Native Americans in what is now the city of Fort Thomas. As many as 600 graves of slain warriors have been unearthed by archeologists there; although the battleground area has been thoroughly combed for artifacts and remains over the years, it is still not uncommon to find arrowheads and other artifacts from the past while gardening or hiking the woods and streambeds throughout the city. In 1887, a site was needed to house a United States Army post to replace Newport Barracks located in the adjoining city of Newport, Kentucky. Built in 1803, Newport Barracks replaced the smaller Fort Washington, located across the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Ohio. That army post was located at the junction of the Licking and Ohio Rivers, but it was prone to flooding and flooded numerous times during the early 1880s. A new, less flood prone location was sought.

General Philip Sheridan personally selected 11 acres (4.5 ha) of the city and dubbed the area the Highlands, predicting it to become the "West Point of the West." The new post was named Fort Thomas in honor of General George Henry Thomas.

Pick the Ideal Veterinary Technician School near Fort Thomas KY

Fort Thomas KY vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate vet tech college is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students looking into vet tech programs 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 tasks 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 profession. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Fort Thomas KY.