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How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Raleigh North Carolina

Raleigh NC vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Raleigh NC might at first seem like a challenging task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will furnish the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the right selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. After they have found some local colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are considering before you make a final decision. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied duties of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Raleigh NC

cat with cone after surgery in Raleigh NC Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many jobs that they can carry out within the Raleigh NC veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing 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 completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved activities, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years. 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 job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Raleigh

student attending online vet tech school in Raleigh NC An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Raleigh NC veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Raleigh NC Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Raleigh NC vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Raleigh NC area and across the USA, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a college 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 looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that confirms you will get a superior 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 schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Raleigh NC area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the North Carolina school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Raleigh NC veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Raleigh NC veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Raleigh NC veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Raleigh NC programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Raleigh NC home, you need to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, 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 close by or within a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Raleigh 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 need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family issues. 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 Raleigh NC?

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

Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh (/ˈrɑːli/; RAH-lee)[6] is the capital of the state of North Carolina and the seat of Wake County in the United States. Raleigh is the second-largest city in the state, after Charlotte. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees, which line the streets in the heart of the city.[7] The city covers a land area of 142.8 square miles (370 km2). The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population as 464,758 as of July 1, 2017.[4] It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.[8][9] The city of Raleigh is named after Sir Walter Raleigh, who established the lost Roanoke Colony in present-day Dare County.

Raleigh is home to North Carolina State University (NCSU) and is part of the Research Triangle Park (RTP) area, together with Durham (home of Duke University) and Chapel Hill (home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). The "Triangle" nickname originated after the 1959 creation of the Research Triangle Park, located in Durham and Wake counties, among the three cities and their universities. The Research Triangle region encompasses the U.S. Census Bureau's Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which had an estimated population of 2,037,430 in 2013.[10] The Raleigh metropolitan statistical area had an estimated population of 1,214,516 in 2013.

Most of Raleigh is located within Wake County, with a very small portion extending into Durham County.[11] The towns of Cary, Morrisville, Garner, Clayton, Wake Forest, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Knightdale, Wendell, Zebulon, and Rolesville are some of Raleigh's primary nearby suburbs and satellite towns.

Select the Right Vet Tech School near Raleigh NC

Raleigh NC vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering vet tech colleges need to make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you decide on 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 provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Raleigh NC.