Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Burlington NC

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech School near Burlington North Carolina

Burlington NC vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Burlington NC could at first seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal choice? 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 location and cost are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech programs, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate selection. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Burlington NC

cat with cone after surgery in Burlington NC One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish 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 principal factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can perform within the Burlington NC veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. So 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 work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Burlington NC labs or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Burlington

student attending online vet tech school in Burlington NC An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Burlington NC veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Burlington NC Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Burlington NC vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Burlington NC area as well as across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 gone through an extensive screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many Burlington NC area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing 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 North Carolina school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Burlington NC veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Burlington NC veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Burlington NC veterinary community and has a significant 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 a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Burlington NC schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Burlington NC home, you must confirm 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college 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 fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the vet schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Burlington NC. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You may 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 Burlington NC?

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

Burlington, North Carolina

Burlington is a city in Alamance and Guilford counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the principal city of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Alamance County, in which most of the city is located, and is a part of the Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point CSA. The population was 50,042 at the 2010 census,[4] which makes Burlington the 17th largest city in North Carolina. The Metropolitan Statistical Area population was over 150,000 in 2010.

Alamance County was created when Orange County was partitioned in 1849. Early settlers included several groups of Quakers, many of which remain active in the Snow Camp area, German farmers, and Scots-Irish immigrants.

The need of the North Carolina Railroad in the 1850s to locate land where they could build, repair and do maintenance on its track was the genesis of Burlington, North Carolina. The company selected a piece of land slightly west of present-day Graham. On January 29, 1856, the last spikes were driven into the final tie of the North Carolina Railroad project, uniting the cities of Goldsboro and Charlotte by rail. The next day, the first locomotive passed along the new route. When the iron horse arrived in Alamance County, locals referred to it as "the eighth wonder of the world".

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech School near Burlington NC

Burlington NC vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into veterinary technician schools must make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for 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 alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Burlington NC.