Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Lincoln MO - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Pick a Vet Tech Program near Lincoln Missouri

Lincoln MO vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Lincoln MO could at first seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their residences. Once they have found some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when evaluating veterinary technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are evaluating 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 talk about the varied duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Lincoln MO

cat with cone after surgery in Lincoln MO Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish 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 devote to your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Lincoln MO veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, for example 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 gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training in contrast to assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years. Therefore 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 work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Lincoln MO labs or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Lincoln

student attending online vet tech school in Lincoln MO An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Lincoln MO veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for travel and study supplies, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Lincoln MO Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Lincoln MO vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Lincoln MO area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, 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 demanding screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Lincoln MO area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Missouri school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Lincoln MO veterinary clinics that you might 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 there Internship Programs? The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Lincoln MO veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by way 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 veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate could signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Lincoln MO veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly 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 sized, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Lincoln MO colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus 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 vet tech classes from your Lincoln MO home, you have to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with 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 in or near a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an option that will give you 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 flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lincoln MO. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lincoln MO?

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

Lincoln University (Missouri)

Lincoln University is a historically black public land-grant university in Jefferson City, Missouri. In 2007, it was ranked #3 for economic diversity, #5 for campus ethnic diversity, and #9 for most international students according to U.S. News & World Report rankings of master's-level universities in the Midwest. Founded in 1866 by African-American veterans of the American Civil War, it is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

During the Civil War, the 62nd Colored Infantry regiment of the U.S. Army, largely recruited in Missouri, set up educational programs for its soldiers. At the end of the war it raised $6,300 to set up a black school, headed by a white abolitionist officer, Richard Foster. Foster opened the Lincoln Institute in Jefferson City in 1866. Lincoln had a black student body, both black and white teachers, and outside support from religious groups. The state government provided $5,000 a year to train teachers for the state's new black school system.[5] Under the Morrill Act of 1890, Missouri designated the school a land-grant university, emphasizing agriculture, mechanics and teaching.

By 1921, the college had expanded to offer graduate programs and was officially designated a university by the state of Missouri. It changed its name to Lincoln University of Missouri. In 1954, it opened its doors to applicants of all ethnicities. It provides both undergraduate and graduate courses.

Enroll in the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Lincoln MO

Lincoln MO vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician program is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students thinking about vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the ideal college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lincoln MO.