Home >> Arizona >> Flagstaff >> How To Become A Vet Tech


Vet Tech Degree Programs
Get Free Info - Flagstaff AZ 86001

Vet Technician School
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Flagstaff Arizona

Flagstaff Arizona dog with big ears wearing coneFulfilling your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Flagstaff AZ might initially feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. And so that you pick the best one you must research and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. When checking out vet tech programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes. Once they have found some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when comparing vet tech programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Tech Education Options

Flagstaff Arizona veterinarian checking dog's blood pressure

Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many jobs that they can perform within the Flagstaff AZ veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

  • Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
  • Vet Technicians receive more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part 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 main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, 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 can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Flagstaff AZ laboratories or research facilities as well.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

Flagstaff Arizona cat in portable kennel in veterinary clinicBy now you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Flagstaff AZ area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Flagstaff AZ area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. 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 looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with 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 specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Flagstaff AZ vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Flagstaff AZ veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate might signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Flagstaff AZ veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Flagstaff AZ programs you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Flagstaff AZ home, you need to make sure 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 college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's important that you determine if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Flagstaff AZ. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Tech in Flagstaff

Enroll in the Best Flagstaff Veterinary Technologist School

Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician college is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients 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 field. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Flagstaff Arizona.



 

Flagstaff Vet Tech Colleges | Flagstaff Veterinary Technician Schools