Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Longwood NC - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Longwood North Carolina

Longwood NC vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Longwood NC could initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the right selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have located some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when assessing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Longwood NC

cat with cone after surgery in Longwood NC One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Longwood NC veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to assistants and normally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved functions, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years. So 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, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Longwood

student attending online vet tech school in Longwood NC An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Longwood NC veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for travel and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be 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 clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Longwood NC Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Longwood NC vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Longwood NC area and across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for a number of Longwood NC area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with 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 regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Longwood NC veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some programs 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 professional setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Longwood NC veterinarians, vet clinics 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 practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate might signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Longwood NC veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Longwood NC schools you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Longwood NC home, you must confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you determine if the veterinarian 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 Longwood NC. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Longwood NC?

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

Longwood Lancers men's basketball

The Longwood Lancers men's basketball team is the basketball team that represents Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Big South Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. Their current head coach is Griff Aldrich, who formerly served as the recruiting director for UMBC.[2]

Longwood was an all-female school for the majority of its history; however, a limited number of male day students attended the school following World War II, and those students fielded a basketball team under the name Longwood Pioneers.[3] The current NCAA men's basketball program began in 1976 under head coach Allan McNamee, when the school became fully co-educational that same year.[4] The Lancers finished 1–6 against four year institutions in the inaugural season, and 2–9 overall. The Lancers were NCAA Division III members for their first four years. In 1980, they became Division II members, until 2004, when they began a transition to Division I membership. They became full Division I members in 2007.

The Lancers have had eight different head coaches of their men's basketball team, as detailed below. The current head coach, former Cleveland State associate head coach Jayson Gee, joined the program in 2013.

Choose the Right Vet Tech College near Longwood NC

Longwood NC vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech program is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Potential students looking into veterinary technician schools need to make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you decide on 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 provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Longwood NC.