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How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near Columbus Ohio

Columbus OH vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Columbus OH may initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the right choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. Once they have found some local colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important factors when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Columbus OH

cat with cone after surgery in Columbus OH Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you desire 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 principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many duties that they can perform within the Columbus OH veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational 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. Usually they are not associated with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to 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 vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Columbus OH laboratories or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Columbus

student attending online vet tech school in Columbus OH An alternative that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Columbus OH veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for example for travel and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Columbus OH Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Columbus OH vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Columbus OH area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Columbus OH area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Ohio school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Columbus OH vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Columbus OH veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Columbus OH vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly 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 sized, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Columbus OH colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Columbus OH home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with 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 school is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Columbus OH. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Columbus OH?

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

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus (/kəˈlʌmbəs/ kə-LUM-bəs) is the state capital of and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio. With a population of 879,170 as of 2017 estimates,[17] it is the 14th-most populous city in the United States[18][19][20][21] and one of the fastest growing large cities in the nation.[22] This makes Columbus the third-most populous state capital in the US (after Phoenix, Arizona and Austin, Texas) and the second-most populous city in the Midwest (after Chicago, Illinois).[23][24] It is the core city of the Columbus, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses ten counties.[25] With a population of 2,078,725, it is Ohio's second-largest metropolitan area.

Columbus is the county seat of Franklin County.[26] The municipality has also annexed portions of adjoining Delaware, Pickaway and Fairfield counties. Named for explorer Christopher Columbus, the city was founded in 1812 at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and assumed the functions of state capital in 1816.

The city has a diverse economy based on education, government, insurance, banking, defense, aviation, food, clothes, logistics, steel, energy, medical research, health care, hospitality, retail, and technology. Columbus is home to the Battelle Memorial Institute, the world's largest private research and development foundation; Chemical Abstracts Service, the world's largest clearinghouse of chemical information; NetJets, the world's largest fractional ownership jet aircraft fleet; and The Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the United States. As of 2013[update], the city has the headquarters of five corporations in the U.S. Fortune 500: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, American Electric Power, L Brands, Big Lots, and Cardinal Health.[27] The food service corporations Wendy's, Donatos Pizza, Bob Evans, Max & Erma's, and White Castle and the nationally known companies Red Roof Inn, Rogue Fitness, and Safelite are also based in the metropolitan area.

Choose the Right Vet Tech College near Columbus OH

Columbus OH vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate vet tech school is an important first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet tech schools must 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 tasks and support 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 outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Columbus OH.