Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools North Prairie WI

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near North Prairie Wisconsin

North Prairie WI vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near North Prairie WI might at first seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the best choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. When they have identified some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when assessing vet tech programs, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the various roles of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in North Prairie WI

cat with cone after surgery in North Prairie WI Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many tasks that they can perform within the North Prairie WI veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated functions, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in North Prairie

student attending online vet tech school in North Prairie WI An option that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local North Prairie WI veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for example for commuting and study supplies, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask North Prairie WI Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask North Prairie WI vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the North Prairie WI area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of North Prairie WI area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with 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 suggestion, get in touch with some North Prairie WI vet clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with North Prairie WI veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the North Prairie WI vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective 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. Find out from the North Prairie WI programs you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your North Prairie 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a school 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 online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough 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 North Prairie WI. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near North Prairie WI?

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

North Prairie, Wisconsin

Three prospectors from Mukwonago named the village in 1826. Blacksmiths from Eagle, Chas. Raynaus and Mr. Denny, were the first settlers to arrive that following year, although the first claim came from Stillman Smith. Farmers began to settle the North Prairie in the 1830s to raise their prize livestock and grain. The population grew and in 1840 Raynaus began the first school from his house.[6]

By 1850 the village had a general store and post office. The Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad went through in 1852, but the village remained mostly rural. North Prairie would later become one of the area's more noted residential centers. A rumor of oil in 1866 enabled the North Prairie Petroleum Company to fund $50,000 "to dig a hole & extract oil or minerals," but this venture was a failure.

St. John's Lutheran Church was built in 1877 and North Prairie later incorporated in 1919. Morey Milk Condensery opened a plant in 1917 and by 1920 North Prairie saw a jump in growth due to this industry. Morey Milk employed over 200 people and became a primary source of income to more than 85% of the village households. The plant was sold in 1924 and is no longer in operation.[7]

Enroll in the Right Veterinary Technician College near North Prairie WI

North Prairie WI vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician program is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into veterinary technician schools need to make their determination based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included 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 best college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in North Prairie WI.