Veterinary Technician Degree Program
How to Select the Right One Near Catalina Foothills Arizona

Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Catalina Foothills AZ could initially seem like a daunting task. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you need to first locate and ultimately enroll in a program that will provide the required training and education. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the best choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. When they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important factors when evaluating veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered as well. The bottom line is that prior to making a selection, you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the schools you are evaluating. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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Vet Technician Education Options

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Catalina Foothills AZ veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared with assistants and usually acquire 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 general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real 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, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Catalina Foothills AZ labs or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered

An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Catalina Foothills AZ veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for traveling and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Vet Tech Schools

By now you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Catalina Foothills AZ area and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It's important that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Catalina Foothills AZ area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose must 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 assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Catalina Foothills AZ vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Catalina Foothills AZ veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate might signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Catalina Foothills AZ veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly 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, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Catalina Foothills AZ colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Catalina Foothills AZ home, you must make certain 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, particularly if the campus is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate 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 Catalina Foothills AZ. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Catalina Foothills

Chosse the Right Catalina Foothills Veterinary Technologist College

Selecting the right veterinary technician school is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into veterinary technician schools need to make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, 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 online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Catalina Foothills Arizona.

 

Catalina Foothills Vet Tech Programs | Catalina Foothills How To Become A Vet Tech