Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Shelbyville KY

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near Shelbyville Kentucky

Shelbyville KY vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Shelbyville KY may initially feel like a challenging task. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach analyzing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the ideal choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their homes. When they have located some area colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Shelbyville KY

cat with cone after surgery in Shelbyville KY One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Shelbyville KY veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern 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 execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and normally earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can 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 Shelbyville KY laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Shelbyville

student attending online vet tech school in Shelbyville KY An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Shelbyville KY veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for example for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Shelbyville KY Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Shelbyville KY vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Shelbyville KY area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a precondition for employment for many Shelbyville KY area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Kentucky school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Shelbyville 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 recommend some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Shelbyville KY veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the Shelbyville KY vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Shelbyville KY programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Shelbyville KY home, you must make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Shelbyville KY. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Shelbyville KY?

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

Shelbyville, Kentucky

The town of Shelbyville was established in October 1792 at the first meeting of the Shelby County Court after local landowner William Shannon agreed to lay off 50 acres (20 ha) of his property for the community and provide 1 acre free for public buildings.[9] The grant ensured that Shelbyville rather than nearby Squire Boone's Station would become the seat of Shelby County.[4] The agricultural town was located on the west bank of Clear Creek at its confluence with Mulberry Creek and near a route between Louisville and Frankfort. The town required new residents to construct a 1½-story log cabin with a stone chimney; by 1795, there were forty of these and, by 1800, there were 262 residents. New lots were platted in 1803, 1815, and 1816.[9]

The Shelbyville Academy was established in 1798 at Eighth and Washington; it became Shelby College and moved to College Street in 1836,[9] affiliated with the Episcopal Church in 1841,[10] changed its name to St. James College after the Civil War, and closed in 1871, replaced by a public elementary school. Science Hill Female Academy was established in 1825 on Washington Street; it functioned as a college preparatory school for young women throughout the South prior to closing in 1939 at the end of the Great Depression. The Shelbyville Female Seminary was established in 1839 and moved to its longtime residence at Seventh and Main in 1846; it became the Shelbyville Female Institute in 1849, the Presbyterian Stuart's Female College in 1851, the Shelbyville Female College in 1868, and the Baptist Shelbyville College from 1890 until its closure in 1912.[9]

The Louisville and Shelbyville Turnpike was completed in the 1830s, following a ridgeline path between the two sites dating back to the Indians.[11] After the Louisville and Frankfort Railroad was constructed near the road in present-day Cherokee Gardens in 1849, the turnpike company rerouted and constructed a new road nearby (originally known as the "Shelbyville Branch", now Lexington Avenue in Louisville) which was completed in 1851.[12]

Select the Best Veterinary Technician College near Shelbyville KY

Shelbyville KY vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate vet tech college is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students thinking about vet tech schools must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech colleges 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 choice. And by choosing the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Shelbyville KY.