Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Shepherdsville KY

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near Shepherdsville Kentucky

Shepherdsville KY vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Shepherdsville KY may at first seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you must find and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. Once they have identified some local schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make a final selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Shepherdsville KY

cat with cone after surgery in Shepherdsville KY One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of tasks that they can carry out within the Shepherdsville KY veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and normally acquire 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 basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. So 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, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Shepherdsville KY labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Shepherdsville

student attending online vet tech school in Shepherdsville KY An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Shepherdsville KY veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for example for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech program may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Shepherdsville KY Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Shepherdsville KY vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Shepherdsville KY area as well as across the United States, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of 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 screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Shepherdsville KY area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian 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 pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Kentucky school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Shepherdsville KY veterinarians that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to get 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 established with Shepherdsville KY veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Shepherdsville KY veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Shepherdsville KY colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Shepherdsville KY home, you have to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinary programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Shepherdsville KY. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Shepherdsville KY?

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

Shepherdsville, Kentucky

Shepherdsville is a home rule-class city[3] on the Salt River in Bullitt County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the seat of its county,[4] located just south of Louisville. The population was 11,222 during the 2010 U.S. Census.[5]

The vicinity was originally known by European Americans as "Bullitt's Lick" for the salt licks discovered by surveyor Capt. Thomas Bullitt in 1773. The area was home to Kentucky's first commercial salt works. These were shuttered in the 1830s because of competition from Virginian works along the Kanawha River (now in West Virginia).[6] Shepherdsville developed around the mill and store erected along the Salt River by Adam Shepherd, who had purchased 900 acres (360 ha) in the area. The city received its charter in 1793 and was designated as the county seat when Bullitt County was formed in 1796.[7]

The first post office opened in 1806.[7] In 1836, a mineral water spa called Paroquet Springs opened. The mineral water was believed to have medicinal properties, so sufferers from a variety of maladies visited Shepherdsville to drink and bathe in the water. In the mid-1850s, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad's mainline was constructed nearby.

Pick the Right Veterinary Technician College near Shepherdsville KY

Shepherdsville KY vet tech holding dog Selecting the right vet tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech programs must make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for 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 choices so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Shepherdsville KY.