Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Silver Grove KY

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Silver Grove Kentucky

Silver Grove KY vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Silver Grove KY may at first feel like a daunting endeavor. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. Once they have identified some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when evaluating vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at before you make a final decision. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Silver Grove KY

cat with cone after surgery in Silver Grove KY Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the Silver Grove KY veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and normally acquire a 2 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 general 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 involved activities, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main 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 opportunities, higher 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 anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Silver Grove KY laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Silver Grove

student attending online vet tech school in Silver Grove KY An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Silver Grove KY veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Silver Grove KY Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Silver Grove KY vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Silver Grove KY area and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, 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 a rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Silver Grove KY area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Kentucky school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Silver Grove KY veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs 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 professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Silver Grove KY veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Silver Grove KY veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Silver Grove KY colleges you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Silver Grove KY home, you must confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Silver Grove KY. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Silver Grove KY?

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

Silver Grove, Kentucky

Silver Grove is a railroad town founded in 1911 for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. In 1914, a newspaper described it as a modern town, because it boasted electric lights, an urban water and sewer system, a modernized fire department, a school, and a spacious park. In 1948, C&O wanted out of the city. In 1951, Gerald Losey was selected as the first mayor.[6]

Silver Grove is located in northeastern Campbell County at 39°2′13″N 84°23′55″W / 39.03694°N 84.39861°W / 39.03694; -84.39861 (39.036902, −84.398652), on the south bank of the Ohio River.[7]Kentucky Route 8 passes through the city, leading northwest (downstream) along the river 8 miles (13 km) to Dayton and southeast 32 miles (51 km) to Augusta. Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, is 10 miles (16 km) to the northwest via Interstate 471.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Silver Grove has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.3 km2), of which 1.1 square miles (2.9 km2) is land and 0.54 square miles (1.4 km2), or 31.61%, is water.[8]

Pick the Best Vet Tech Program near Silver Grove KY

Silver Grove KY vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech college is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students considering vet tech programs need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Silver Grove KY.