Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools New Glarus WI

How to Choose a Vet Tech Program near New Glarus Wisconsin

New Glarus WI vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near New Glarus WI might initially feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the right selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. After they have identified some local schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when evaluating vet technician schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are considering before you make a final selection. 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 offered.

The Function of a Vet Tech in New Glarus WI

cat with cone after surgery in New Glarus WI Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous duties that they can perform within the New Glarus WI veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from 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 performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and generally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. 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 job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in New Glarus WI laboratories or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in New Glarus

student attending online vet tech school in New Glarus WI An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local New Glarus WI veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be cheaper 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 certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask New Glarus WI Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask New Glarus WI vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the New Glarus WI area as well as across the United States, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 undergone a rigorous screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many New Glarus WI area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some New Glarus WI veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with New Glarus WI veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the New Glarus WI veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the New Glarus WI programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, 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 New Glarus WI home, you need to confirm that the driving time fits into 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 campus is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near New Glarus WI. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near New Glarus WI?

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

New Glarus, Wisconsin

New Glarus is a village in Green County, Wisconsin, United States at the intersection of Wisconsin Highways 69 and 39. It has a population of 2,172 according to the 2010 census. Since 2000 it has had a population growth of 2.9 percent. The village, and the town that surrounds it, were named after the canton of Glarus in eastern Switzerland.[6] The community was founded in 1845 by immigrants from that canton and was incorporated in 1901.

More than 160 years after it was founded, New Glarus has maintained much of its Swiss heritage and old world traditions. Swiss-style chalets and flower boxes filled with red geraniums grace the streets of the village and Swiss flags fly next to the American flag at many businesses and homes. Old World meat markets, restaurants, and a Swiss bakery are also found in downtown New Glarus, along with folk art, museums, and Swiss-style shops. Many Swiss customs are still alive in New Glarus, including the card game Jass, yodeling, and flag tossing. Today New Glarus is the best known Swiss settlement in America.[7]

In the early 1840s, after several years of failed crops and as food became scarce, much of the canton of Glarus in Switzerland found itself deep in poverty. With more workers than available jobs, the government of the canton saw emigration to America as a solution. Authorities established the Glarus Emigration Society in 1844, which offered loans to help residents purchase land in the New World. All other expenses associated with the voyage to America were to be paid by the emigrants themselves.[8] Men were offered 20 acres (81,000 m2) free of rent for ten years, after which they could own the land for a mere ten shillings per acre. Given the desperate economic conditions in Switzerland, 193 volunteers decided to leave their homeland to start anew in America.

Pick the Right Veterinary Technician Program near New Glarus WI

New Glarus WI vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you select 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 assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the ideal school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in New Glarus WI.