Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Jeffersonville KY

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near Jeffersonville Kentucky

Jeffersonville KY vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Jeffersonville KY could at first seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. When they have identified some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant concerns when comparing vet tech programs, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make a final decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Jeffersonville KY

cat with cone after surgery in Jeffersonville KY Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Jeffersonville KY veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing 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. Generally they are not associated with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Jeffersonville

student attending online vet tech school in Jeffersonville KY An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Jeffersonville KY veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for commuting and study supplies, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you select 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 comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Jeffersonville KY Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Jeffersonville KY vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Jeffersonville KY area and across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech school you enroll in 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). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Jeffersonville KY area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online 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 concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Jeffersonville KY veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Jeffersonville KY veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Jeffersonville KY vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not well regarded 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 get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Jeffersonville KY schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. 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? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Jeffersonville KY home, you must make certain 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 campus is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Jeffersonville KY. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Jeffersonville KY?

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

Jeffersonville, Kentucky

Jeffersonville began as an important cattle-trading center in Eastern Kentucky during the mid-19th century. It was then known as Ticktown, either for the tickgrass (Eragrostis echinochloidea) in the area or for the ticks in the cattle pens. Although it is unknown when the settlement became known as Jeffersonville, the first post office was established under that name on March 9, 1866. It presumably honors Pres. Thomas Jefferson.[4]

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 1,804 people, 682 households, and 525 families residing in the city. The population density was 596.6 people per square mile (230.6/km²). There were 738 housing units at an average density of 244.0 per square mile (94.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.06% White, 0.11% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.17% Asian, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94% of the population.

There were 682 households out of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.6% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.02.

Pick the Ideal Vet Tech College near Jeffersonville KY

Jeffersonville KY vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students looking into veterinary technician colleges need to make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Jeffersonville KY.