Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Southern Pines NC

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Southern Pines North Carolina

Southern Pines NC vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Southern Pines NC could at first feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. After they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when evaluating vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are considering before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Southern Pines NC

cat with cone after surgery in Southern Pines NC One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of tasks that they can carry out within the Southern Pines NC veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to assistants and generally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Southern Pines

student attending online vet tech school in Southern Pines NC An option that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because 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 part can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Southern Pines NC veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses 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 vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Southern Pines NC Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Southern Pines NC vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Southern Pines NC area as well as across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose 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 need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school 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). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for a number of Southern Pines NC area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the North Carolina school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Southern Pines NC veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Southern Pines NC veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed 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 may indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Southern Pines NC veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Southern Pines NC colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Southern Pines NC home, you have to make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by 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 increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the vet schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Southern Pines NC. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Southern Pines NC?

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

Southern Pines, North Carolina

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.5 square miles (40.2 km²), of which 15.4 square miles (39.8 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.5 km²) (1.16%) is water.

As of the 2010 census,[2] there were 12,334 people, 5,866 households, and 3,304 families residing in the town. The population density was 806 people per square mile (311.2/km²). There were 6,859 housing units at an average density of 371 houses/condos per square mile (143.24/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 71.7% White, 24% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.[8]

Of the 5,866 households, 21% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 13% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.7 had a male householder with no female present, and 38.9% were non-families. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.75.[8]

Enroll in the Ideal Vet Tech Program near Southern Pines NC

Southern Pines NC vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right vet tech college is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech schools need to make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Southern Pines NC.