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How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near Kenton Kentucky

Kenton KY vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Kenton KY may initially feel like a challenging task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle assessing and contrasting schools so that you can make the right selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. Once they have found some local schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant considerations when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the various duties of vet techs and the training options available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Kenton KY

cat with cone after surgery in Kenton KY One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary 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 undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Kenton KY veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and normally earn a two 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 general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. Therefore 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 job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Kenton

student attending online vet tech school in Kenton KY An option that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Kenton KY veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Kenton KY Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Kenton KY vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian 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 veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Kenton KY area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a program 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 colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Kenton KY area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on 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 grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Kenton KY vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Kenton KY veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the Kenton KY vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Kenton KY colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Kenton KY home, you must make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, 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 near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Kenton KY. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Kenton KY?

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

Kenton County, Kentucky

Kenton County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2010 census, the population was 159,720,[1] making it the third most populous county in Kentucky (behind Jefferson County and Fayette County). Its county seats are Covington and Independence.[2] It was, until November 24, 2010, the only county in Kentucky to have two legally recognized county seats. The county was formed in 1840 and is named for Simon Kenton, a frontiersman notable in the early history of the state.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 164 square miles (420 km2), of which 160 square miles (410 km2) is land and 4.1 square miles (11 km2) (2.5%) is water.[5] The county is located at the confluence of the Licking River and Ohio River, in the outer Bluegrass area of the Bluegrass region of the state. The elevation in the county ranges from 455 feet (139 m) to 960 feet (293 m) above sea level.

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 151,464 people, 59,444 households, and 39,470 families living in the county. The population density was 935 per square mile (361/km2). There were 63,571 housing units at an average density of 392 per square mile (151/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.99% White, 3.84% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Choose the Right Vet Tech Program near Kenton KY

Kenton KY vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician school is an important first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the ideal program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Kenton KY.