Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Huntersville NC

How to Find the Right Vet Tech Program near Huntersville North Carolina

Huntersville NC vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Huntersville NC might at first feel like a challenging endeavor. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. After they have identified some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Huntersville NC

cat with cone after surgery in Huntersville NC Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many tasks that they can perform within the Huntersville NC veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, 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 techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared with assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years to complete. 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 job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Huntersville

student attending online vet tech school in Huntersville NC An option that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Huntersville NC veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for example for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm 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 furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Huntersville NC Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Huntersville NC vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Huntersville NC area as well as across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Huntersville NC area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the North Carolina school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Huntersville NC veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Huntersville NC veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate may indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of 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 higher placement rate could mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Huntersville NC vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low 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 Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Huntersville NC schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Huntersville NC home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the veterinary programs 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 attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Huntersville NC. 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 available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Huntersville NC?

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

Huntersville, North Carolina

Huntersville is a large suburban town in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States.[2] A part of the Charlotte metropolitan area, the population was 46,773 at the 2010 census, and had increased to 52,704 according to the 2015 census annual estimate, making Huntersville the 17th largest municipality in North Carolina. It is located 14 mi (23 km) north of Charlotte.

It is thought that the town derives its name from the Rev. Humphrey Hunter, a minister at Steele Creek and Unity Presbyterian Churches and a local Revolutionary War hero. Others debate that it is either named for Robert B. Hunter, a local cotton farmer, or the generous and kind grade-school teacher Elizabeth Hunter and her husband, Travis Hunter, the town's first Crossing Guard. Elizabeth and Travis are also known as the parents of the first baby boy born in Huntersville, Cason Shaffer Hunter.

As of the 2010 census,[1] there were 46,773 people, 9,171 households, and 6,859 families residing in the town. The population density was 801.4 people per square mile (309.4/km²). There were 9,859 housing units at an average density of 316.5 per square mile (122.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 88.42% White, 7.47% African American, 0.37% Native American, 1.50% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.06% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.88% of the population.

Select the Right Vet Tech Program near Huntersville NC

Huntersville NC vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician college is an important first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician schools must make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. 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 right school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Huntersville NC.