Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Kannapolis NC

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near Kannapolis North Carolina

Kannapolis NC vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Kannapolis NC might initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the proper selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. When they have found some area colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when comparing vet tech programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Kannapolis NC

cat with cone after surgery in Kannapolis NC One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Kannapolis NC veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved activities, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years. 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 career opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Kannapolis

student attending online vet tech school in Kannapolis NC An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Kannapolis NC veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for commuting and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech program may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Kannapolis NC Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Kannapolis NC vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Kannapolis NC area as well as across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that verifies 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 colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Kannapolis NC area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the North Carolina school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Kannapolis NC veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain 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 Kannapolis NC veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Kannapolis NC vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly 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, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Kannapolis NC programs you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Kannapolis NC home, you must make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, 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. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges 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 need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Kannapolis NC. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family issues. You might 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 Kannapolis NC?

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

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Kannapolis (Kŭh-nă-pŭh-lŭs) is a city in Cabarrus and Rowan counties, in the U.S. state of North Carolina,[1][2] northwest of Concord and northeast of Charlotte and is a suburb[7] in the Charlotte metropolitan area. The city of Kannapolis was incorporated in 1984. The population was 42,625 at the 2010 census,[8] which makes Kannapolis the 20th largest city in North Carolina. It is the home of the Kannapolis Intimidators, the Class A baseball affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, and it is the hometown of the Earnhardt racing family. The center of the city is home to the North Carolina Research Campus, a public-private venture that focuses on food, nutrition, and biotech research.

Early meaning and usage of the city's name was a direct reference to Cannon Mills Corporation, or James William Cannon himself. Early published name variations include "Cannon-opolis" and "Cannapolis". A widely accepted origin of the word "Kannapolis" comes from the combination of the Greek words kanna (reeds, not looms) and polis (city), which some believed meant "City of Looms".[9] Dr. Gary Freeze, Catawba College history and politics department chairman, said a Concord newspaper used the name "Cannon City" in 1906. After mill workers or newspapers called the town "Cannapolis", J.W. Cannon asked Cabarrus County commissioners to give the town the name, but starting with a "K". Kannapolis historian Norris Dearmon said the K might have been to distinguish the town from his Concord mill village. Since, Freeze said, "Jim Cannon didn't study Greek," Cannon did not name the town "city of looms".[10] In 1906 J.W. Cannon purchased the land that later became Kannapolis, and acquired a total of 1,008 acres in Cabarrus and Rowan Counties. Approximately 808 of those acres of farmland, purchased along the historic wagon road between Salisbury and Charlotte, became the location of the new textile mill, Cannon Manufacturing. Cannon Manufacturing began production in 1908. In 1914 Cannon Manufacturing became known as the world’s largest producer of sheets and towels. Shortly after, Mr. Cannon opened plants in Rowan County, Concord and in South Carolina totaling 20,000 workers. Mill founder J.W. Cannon’s youngest son, Charles A. Cannon, consolidated all the separate mills into the giant Cannon Mills Company in 1928.

Kannapolis is located on the boundary of Cabarrus and Rowan counties, with a greater portion of its area in Cabarrus County. U.S. Route 29 (Cannon Boulevard) passes through the city east of the downtown area; U.S. 29 leads northeast 15 miles (24 km) to Salisbury and south 7 miles (11 km) to Concord. Interstate 85 bypasses the city on the south and the east, with access from Exits 54 through 63 (five exits total). I-85 leads northeast 65 miles (105 km) to Greensboro and southwest 21 miles (34 km) to Charlotte.

Enroll in the Ideal Vet Tech School near Kannapolis NC

Kannapolis NC vet tech holding dog Picking the right veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students considering vet tech schools need to make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Kannapolis NC.