Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Wilkesboro NC

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Wilkesboro North Carolina

Wilkesboro NC vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Wilkesboro NC might initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will furnish the necessary training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have located some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important factors when evaluating vet technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Wilkesboro NC

cat with cone after surgery in Wilkesboro NC Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Wilkesboro NC veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing 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 associated with more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and generally obtain a two 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 vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Wilkesboro

student attending online vet tech school in Wilkesboro NC An approach 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 program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Wilkesboro NC veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, such as for traveling and study materials, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Wilkesboro NC Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Wilkesboro NC vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Wilkesboro NC area as well as across the USA, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many Wilkesboro NC area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking 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 relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Wilkesboro NC vet clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

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

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate could suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Wilkesboro NC veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Wilkesboro NC schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students regarding 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 School Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Wilkesboro NC home, you have to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with 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 campus is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in 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. Of course attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Wilkesboro NC. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Wilkesboro NC?

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

Wilkesboro, North Carolina

Wilkesboro is a town in and the county seat of Wilkes County, North Carolina.[5] The population was 3,413 at the 2010 census.[6] The town is located along the south bank of the Yadkin River, directly opposite the town of North Wilkesboro. Wilkesboro is the home of the annual MerleFest festival.

Wilkesboro was founded in 1800 and quickly designated as the county seat. The town is built atop a low, broad ridge which runs for over a mile along the south bank of the Yadkin River. For many decades a popular historic spot in Wilkesboro was the "Tory Oak", a large oak tree from which Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, a well-known Wilkes County patriot during the American Revolutionary War, hung Loyalist militia leaders who supported the British King and opposed American independence from Britain. The oak was located behind the old Wilkes County courthouse. During the American Civil War many of Wilkesboro's residents remained loyal to the Union and opposed the Confederacy. In March 1865 General George Stoneman, a Union cavalry leader, led a raid through the town. Shortly after the war ended, Tom Dula (Dooley), a Confederate veteran, was tried and hanged for the murder of his fiancee, Laura Foster. Many people were convinced that one of Dula's jealous ex-girlfriends murdered Foster, and that Dula was innocent of the crime. Dula's story was turned into a top-selling ballad in 1958 by the Kingston Trio, the song was entitled "Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley". The story was subsequently turned into a 1959 movie starring Michael Landon as Dula, and each summer the Wilkes Playmakers present a popular play based on the story.

The Robert Cleveland Log House, Downtown Wilkesboro Historic District, Federal Building, J. T. Ferguson Store, Thomas B. Finley Law Office, J. L. Hemphill House, Johnson-Hubbard House, Old Wilkes County Jail, St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Cemetery, Wilkes County Courthouse, Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church, and Wilkesboro-Smithey Hotel are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[7]

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Wilkesboro NC

Wilkesboro NC vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate veterinary technician program is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician schools need to make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Wilkesboro NC.