Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Westerville OH

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Westerville Ohio

Westerville OH vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Westerville OH may at first feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their residences. Once they have identified some local colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant concerns when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Westerville OH

cat with cone after surgery in Westerville OH One of 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 based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Westerville OH veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice 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 techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and normally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. 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 career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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 Westerville OH laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Westerville

student attending online vet tech school in Westerville OH An option that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Westerville OH veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for travel and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Westerville OH Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Westerville OH vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Westerville OH area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a requirement for employment for many Westerville OH area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Ohio school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Westerville OH veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Westerville OH veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Westerville OH veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Westerville OH colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Westerville OH home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or near 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 higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Westerville OH. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Westerville OH?

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

Westerville, Ohio

Westerville is a city in Delaware and Franklin counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. It is a northeastern suburb of Columbus. The population was 36,120 at the 2010 census. Westerville is the home of Otterbein University.

The land that is today Westerville was first settled by Europeans around 1810. In 1818, Matthew, Peter, and William Westervelt, settlers of Dutch extraction, migrated to the area from New York. Matthew Westervelt donated land for the construction of a Methodist church in 1836, and the settlement was subsequently named in the family’s honor.[6] In 1839, the Blendon Young Men’s Seminary was chartered in Westerville;[7] Matthew Westervelt was one of its first trustees.[8] The Church of the United Brethren in Christ bought the seminary in 1846,[9] and the next year the seminary was reformed, and renamed Otterbein College after the church’s founder Philip William Otterbein. It continues today in Westerville as the private Otterbein University.[10]

Throughout the Antebellum era, several homes in Westerville were stations on the Underground Railroad. Among these is the Hanby House, located one block from the college. Benjamin Russell Hanby had moved to Westerville in 1849, at the age of sixteen, to enroll at Otterbein University.[12] Hanby went on to write many familiar hymns and songs, among them "Darling Nelly Gray" (inspired by his sympathy for Southern slaves[13]), "Who is He in Yonder Stall?", and the Christmas favorite "Up On The Housetop". His home in Westerville, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was dedicated as a museum in 1937[14] and is now owned by the Ohio Historical Society and managed locally by the Westerville Historical Society. It is the only state memorial to a composer in the state of Ohio.

Pick the Ideal Vet Tech College near Westerville OH

Westerville OH vet tech holding dog Picking the right veterinary technician program is an important first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students thinking about vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding 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 narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Westerville OH.