Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Highlandville MO

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Highlandville Missouri

Highlandville MO vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Highlandville MO might initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the right choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. Once they have located some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when assessing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Highlandville MO

cat with cone after surgery in Highlandville MO Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to 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 all 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 Highlandville MO veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational 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 complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and usually earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction 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 possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Highlandville MO laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Highlandville

student attending online vet tech school in Highlandville MO An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Highlandville MO veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Highlandville MO Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Highlandville MO vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Highlandville MO area and across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously 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 review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Highlandville MO area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate 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 online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Missouri school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Highlandville MO veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Highlandville MO veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Highlandville MO vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Highlandville MO programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Highlandville MO home, you need to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, 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 larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Highlandville MO. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Highlandville MO?

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

Highlandville, Missouri

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.03 square miles (13.03 km2), of which, 5.02 square miles (13.00 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[1]

At the 2010 census,[2] there were 911 people, 348 households and 259 families residing in the city. The population density was 181.5 inhabitants per square mile (70.1/km2). There were 380 housing units at an average density of 75.7 per square mile (29.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.4% White, 0.1% African American, 1.1% Native American, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4% of the population.

There were 348 households of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.6% were non-families. 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 2.98.

Choose the Best Veterinary Technician School near Highlandville MO

Highlandville MO vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right vet tech school is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students thinking about veterinary technician colleges must make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Highlandville MO.