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Veterinary Technician Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Drexel Heights Arizona

Drexel Heights Arizona dog with big ears with cone on headFinding a veterinary technician school near Drexel Heights AZ to achieve your heartfelt goal to work with and provide medical treatment for our pets might initially feel like an overwhelming challenge. After all, you must find and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the ideal selection? When checking out vet tech schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes. Once they have identified some local schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when assessing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll go over the various duties of vet techs and the training options available.

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

Vet Tech Degree Options

Drexel Heights Arizona veterinarian checking dog's blood pressure

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many jobs that they can perform within the Drexel Heights AZ veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialization.

  • Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. 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 associated with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
  • Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally 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 vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
  • Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Drexel Heights AZ laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Available

Drexel Heights Arizona woman taking vet tech classes onlineAn option that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can study 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 many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Drexel Heights AZ veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

Drexel Heights Arizona cat in portable kennel in veterinary hospitalAt this point you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Drexel Heights AZ area and across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously 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 undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will get a superior 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 colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for many Drexel Heights AZ area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Drexel Heights AZ veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs established with Drexel Heights AZ veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate might indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Drexel Heights AZ veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Drexel Heights AZ schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations 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 College Located?  Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Drexel Heights AZ home, you need to make certain 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's important that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Drexel Heights AZ. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Vet Technician in Drexel Heights

Chosse the Right Drexel Heights Veterinary Technologist College

Choosing the ideal veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech schools need to make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Drexel Heights Arizona.



 

Drexel Heights Veterinary Technician Schools | Drexel Heights Online Vet Tech Programs