Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Harrodsburg KY

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near Harrodsburg Kentucky

Harrodsburg KY vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Harrodsburg KY could at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. When they have found some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important considerations when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are considering before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Harrodsburg KY

cat with cone after surgery in Harrodsburg KY Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many functions that they can carry out within the Harrodsburg KY veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 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 job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also 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 Harrodsburg KY laboratories or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Harrodsburg

student attending online vet tech school in Harrodsburg KY An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Harrodsburg KY veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for commuting and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Harrodsburg KY Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Harrodsburg KY vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you prefer 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 Harrodsburg KY area and across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly regarded 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 ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many Harrodsburg KY area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Kentucky school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Harrodsburg KY veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools 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 professional setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Harrodsburg KY veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Harrodsburg KY veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly 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, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Harrodsburg KY programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Harrodsburg KY home, you must confirm 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 school is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Harrodsburg KY. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Harrodsburg KY?

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

Harrodsburg, Kentucky

Although Harrodsburg was formally established by the House of Burgesses after Boonesborough and was not incorporated by the Kentucky legislature until 1836,[4] it is usually considered the oldest city in Kentucky and has been honored as the oldest permanent American settlement west of the Appalachians.

Harrodstown (sometimes Harrod's Town) was laid out and founded by James Harrod on June 16, 1774.[5] Later that same year, amid Dunmore's War, the settlement was abandoned as a result of Shawnee attacks. Resettled the following year, it was one of three settlements in present day Kentucky at the time the 13 colonies declared independence in 1776, along with Logan's Fort and Boonesborough. Also known as Oldtown, Harrodstown was the first seat of Virginia's Kentucky (1776), Lincoln (1780), and Mercer (1785) counties upon their formations.[6] It remains the seat of Mercer County in Kentucky.

The settlement was formally established by the Virginia General Assembly in 1785 as Harrodsburg.[5] Four years later, it was named the location for the newly created United States District Court for the District of Kentucky by the Judiciary Act of 1789.[7] The Kentucky General Assembly incorporated Harrodsburg in 1836.[4]

Enroll in the Ideal Vet Tech Program near Harrodsburg KY

Harrodsburg KY vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet tech colleges must make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges 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 selection. And by selecting the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Harrodsburg KY.