Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Wittenberg WI

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Wittenberg Wisconsin

Wittenberg WI vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Wittenberg WI might initially seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their homes. Once they have identified some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when assessing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Wittenberg WI

cat with cone after surgery in Wittenberg WI Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Wittenberg WI veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and possible 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 anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Wittenberg WI labs or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Wittenberg

student attending online vet tech school in Wittenberg WI An option that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Wittenberg WI veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Wittenberg WI Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Wittenberg WI vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Wittenberg WI area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Wittenberg WI area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet 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 infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Wittenberg WI vet clinics that you may 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 most effective approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Wittenberg WI veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Wittenberg WI vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Wittenberg WI schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students regarding 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 Campus Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Wittenberg WI home, you must confirm that the driving 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, particularly if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might 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 essential that you determine if the vet schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Wittenberg WI. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Wittenberg WI?

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

Wittenberg, Wisconsin

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 1,081 people, 427 households, and 231 families residing in the village. The population density was 603.9 inhabitants per square mile (233.2/km2). There were 495 housing units at an average density of 276.5 per square mile (106.8/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 89.3% White, 3.8% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 5.1% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.1% of the population.

There were 427 households of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.9% were non-families. 40.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the village was 42.2 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.6% were from 25 to 44; 21% were from 45 to 64; and 25.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

Select the Ideal Vet Tech College near Wittenberg WI

Wittenberg WI vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students considering veterinary technician schools need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the ideal school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Wittenberg WI.