Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Nicholasville KY

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near Nicholasville Kentucky

Nicholasville KY vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Nicholasville KY may initially feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the best choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their residences. When they have found some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when comparing vet tech programs, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Nicholasville KY

cat with cone after surgery in Nicholasville KY One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan 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 invest in your education, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many duties that they can carry out within the Nicholasville KY veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists 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 education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern 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 involved with more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and generally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Nicholasville

student attending online vet tech school in Nicholasville KY An approach that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Nicholasville KY veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for example for travel and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you choose 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 self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Nicholasville KY Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Nicholasville KY vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Nicholasville KY area as well as across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need 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 veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many Nicholasville KY area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Kentucky school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Nicholasville KY veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Nicholasville KY veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Nicholasville KY veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Nicholasville KY colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Nicholasville KY home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into 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, especially if the campus is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the vet programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Nicholasville KY. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Nicholasville KY?

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

Nicholasville, Kentucky

Nicholasville is a home rule city[6] in Jessamine County, Kentucky, United States. It is the seat of its county.[7] The population was 28,015 during the 2010 U.S. Census, making Nicholasville the 11th-largest settlement in the state.

Since the late 20th century, Nicholasville has undergone rapid growth; the population increased 380% between 1970 and 2010. The city serves as both a residential area for Lexington-area commuters and as an employment and shopping center for central Kentucky.[8]

Nicholasville was founded in 1798 and incorporated in 1837.[9][2] The town was named in honor of Colonel George Nicholas, a father of the Kentucky Constitution in 1792.[10] The Young House in Nicholasville is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Choose the Ideal Vet Tech College near Nicholasville KY

Nicholasville KY vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician program is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students considering vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included 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 picking the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Nicholasville KY.