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

Finding a veterinary technician school near La Crosse WI to achieve your lifelong goal to work with and provide medical treatment for animals might initially feel like an overwhelming challenge. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. After they have found some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when evaluating vet technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The bottom line is that prior to making a selection, you must complete your due diligence and compare all relevant qualifications of the programs you are reviewing. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll explore the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

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

Vet Technician Education Options

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous 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 assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing 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 completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 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 opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Available

An approach 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 program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local La Crosse WI veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study materials, may be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools

By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the La Crosse WI area and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It's important that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, 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 demanding review process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many La Crosse WI area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and checking with 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 suggestion, contact some La Crosse WI veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with La Crosse WI veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the La Crosse WI veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the La Crosse WI schools you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your La Crosse WI home, you need to make sure that the commuting 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, especially if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's important that you find out if the vet colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near La Crosse WI. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Vet Technician in La Crosse

Enroll in the Right La Crosse Veterinary Technologist Program

Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about veterinary technician programs must make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in La Crosse Wisconsin.

 

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