Veterinary Technician School
How to Choose the Right One Near La Crosse Wisconsin

Finding a veterinary technician school near La Crosse WI to fulfill your passionate desire to work with and care for animals may initially seem like an overwhelming challenge. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you need to first locate and finally enroll in a program that will provide the required training and education. And so that you pick the right one you must research and compare each of the schools you are considering. Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. After they have identified some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. The main point is that before making a selection, you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the programs you are assessing. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll explore the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW

Vet Technician Training Options

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many jobs that they can perform within the La Crosse WI veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and normally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex activities, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years. So 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 work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Available

An approach that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local La Crosse WI veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for travel and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Vet Tech Programs

By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the La Crosse WI area and across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It's important that you verify that the vet tech college you select 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 gone through a rigorous screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of La Crosse WI area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some La Crosse WI veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some 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 professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with La Crosse WI veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college 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 considering. A low rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the La Crosse WI vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the La Crosse WI schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your La Crosse WI home, you must make certain that the commuting time fits into 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 in or close by a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near La Crosse WI. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Learn More About Becoming a Vet Tech in La Crosse

Enroll in the Right La Crosse Veterinary Technologist Program

Enrolling in the right vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician programs must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it's very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online programs 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 choosing the right college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in La Crosse Wisconsin.

 

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