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Vet Technician Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Kingman Arizona

Kingman Arizona dog with large ears wearing coneRealizing your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Kingman AZ might initially feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the best selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. After they have identified some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when evaluating veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. The main point is that before making a selection, you need to complete your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the schools you are evaluating. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll explore the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

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Vet Technician Degree Options

Kingman Arizona veterinarian checking dog's blood pressure

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can carry out within the Kingman AZ veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.

  • Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
  • Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four 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 career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Available

Kingman Arizona woman enrolled in vet tech courses onlineAn approach that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Kingman AZ veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges

Kingman Arizona cat in carrier in vet clinicAt this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Kingman AZ area and across the Country, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech program you choose 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 rigorous screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Kingman AZ area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Kingman AZ vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Kingman AZ veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Kingman AZ vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could 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 bigger, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Kingman AZ schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Kingman AZ home, you need to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Kingman AZ. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Technologist in Kingman

Enroll in the Right Kingman Veterinary Technologist College

Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Kingman Arizona.



 

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