Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Plattsburg MO

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Plattsburg Missouri

Plattsburg MO vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Plattsburg MO might at first seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you must find and enroll in a college that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. After they have identified some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Plattsburg MO

cat with cone after surgery in Plattsburg MO One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Plattsburg MO veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Plattsburg

student attending online vet tech school in Plattsburg MO An option that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Plattsburg MO veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Plattsburg MO Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Plattsburg MO vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Plattsburg MO area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Plattsburg MO area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian 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 suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Missouri school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Plattsburg MO vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Plattsburg MO veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate could 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, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Plattsburg MO veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Plattsburg MO programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students regarding 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 Campus Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Plattsburg MO home, you need to make certain that the driving time is compatible with 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, particularly if the school is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a college 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 alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the vet schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Plattsburg MO. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Plattsburg MO?

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

Plattsburg, Missouri

The area along the rivers had been occupied for thousands of years by indigenous peoples. Historic American Indian tribes in the area included the Ioway, Fox and Sac tribes, who ceded land in what became northwest Missouri in the Platte Purchase.

The European-American settlers first called their settlement Concord. (This has been used for a contemporary man-made lake and surrounding housing development in the city.) Later the city was renamed Springfield. After the discovery of a preceding Springfield, Missouri, settlers named it "Plattsburg," after Plattsburgh, New York, which is the seat of Clinton County, New York. Both it and Clinton County, Missouri were named for George Clinton, one of the Founding Fathers, the first governor of New York, and vice president from 1805 to 1812.[7]

The area was settled chiefly by migrants from the Upper South, especially Kentucky and western Virginia, and was near what was called "Little Dixie" in Missouri. They brought their slaves and culture with them. For a brief period of time during the 1830s, Plattsburg was home to a Federal land office for areas of northern Missouri that were newly opened to settlement by European Americans after the Platte Purchase in 1836. Until then, Plattsburg was one of the farthest western non-military settlements.

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician College near Plattsburg MO

Plattsburg MO vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate vet tech school is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech schools must make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Plattsburg MO.