How to Choose a Veterinary Assistant School near Marlinton West Virginia
Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinarian program near Marlinton WV could at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a school that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you tackle reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their homes. After they have found some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied duties of veterinary assistants and techs and the training alternatives offered.
The Job of a Vet Tech and Assistant
Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the Marlinton WV veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialty.
- Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college near Marlinton WV. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
- Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and normally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Marlinton WV area research facilities also.
Veterinarian Online Schools
An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Marlinton WV veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for travel and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary tech or assistant school may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Degree Programs
By now you should have determined which veterinary certificate or degree that you wish to obtain, 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 West Virginia and across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the Marlinton WV veterinary technician and assistant schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary assistant or technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, 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 review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Marlinton WV vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the West Virginia school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Marlinton WV vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech or assistant is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with area veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local Marlinton WV vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet assistant or technician college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate may signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the Marlinton WV college has an exceptional reputation within the 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 assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Marlinton WV schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary tech classes from home or work, you have to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the Marlinton WV college is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the West Virginia veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered near Marlinton WV before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.
Why Did You Want to Become a Vet Technician?
When preparing to interview for a veterinary job, it's important to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask veterinary applicants is "What made you decide on veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for being a vet tech, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to veterinary care, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional vet tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.Select the Best Veterinary Technician College near Marlinton WV
Choosing the right veterinary assistant or tech college is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students considering veterinary tech or assistant programs must make their selection based on a number of key issues. Vet assistants, techs and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist in Marlinton WV.
A Little Bit About Marlinton WV
Marlinton, West Virginia
Marlinton is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,054 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Pocahontas County.[6]
Marlinton is named for Jacob Marlin, who, along with Stephen Sewell, became the first non-native settlers west of the Allegheny Mountains, in the Greenbrier Valley in 1749. New Englanders Marlin and Sewell built a cabin in what would become Marlinton, but after various religious disputes, Sewell moved into a nearby hollowed-out Sycamore tree. In 1751, surveyor John Lewis discovered the pair. Sewell eventually settled on the eastern side of Sewell Mountain, near present-day Rainelle, WV.[7]
Located at Marlinton and listed on the National Register of Historic Places are the Frank and Anna Hunter House, IOOF Lodge Building, Marlinton Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Station, Marlinton Opera House, Pocahontas County Courthouse and Jail, and Pocahontas Times Print Shop.[8] Located near Marlinton are Droop Mountain Battlefield and New Deal Resources in Watoga State Park Historic District.[8]
More Cities of Interest in West Virginia