Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Green Bay WI - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Pick a Vet Tech School near Green Bay Wisconsin

Green Bay WI vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Green Bay WI may at first seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the right selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. After they have identified some local colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important factors when assessing vet technician programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Green Bay WI

cat with cone after surgery in Green Bay WI Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Green Bay WI veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing 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 execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Green Bay WI labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Green Bay

student attending online vet tech school in Green Bay WI An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Green Bay WI veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you choose 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 dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Green Bay WI Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Green Bay WI vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinary credential that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Green Bay WI area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available 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 Green Bay WI area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Green Bay WI veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Green Bay WI veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate may indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Green Bay WI vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Green Bay WI programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Green Bay WI home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in 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 taking classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate 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 Green Bay WI. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Green Bay WI?

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

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin,[7] at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It is 581 feet (177 m) above sea level and 112 miles (180 km) north of Milwaukee. The population was 104,057 at the 2010 census.[5] Green Bay is the third-largest city in the state of Wisconsin, after Milwaukee and Madison, and the third-largest city on Lake Michigan's west shore, after Chicago and Milwaukee. Green Bay is home to the National Football League's Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay is the principal city of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area, which covers Brown, Kewaunee, and Oconto counties;[8] the MSA had a combined population of 306,241 at the 2010 census.[5]

Green Bay is an industrial city with several meatpacking plants, paper mills, and a port on Green Bay, an arm of Lake Michigan known locally as "the Bay of Green Bay". Green Bay hosts the Neville Public Museum, with exhibitions of art, history, and science; the Children's Museum; and the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.

Enroll in the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Green Bay WI

Green Bay WI vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate vet tech college is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician programs must make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the ideal program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Green Bay WI.