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Vet Technician School
How to Select the Right One Near Phoenix Arizona

Phoenix Arizona dog with large ears with cone on headFinding a veterinary technician school near Phoenix AZ to fulfill your passionate desire to help and care for our pets might from the start seem like an enormous challenge. But in order to succeed as a practicing veterinary technician, you need to first search for and finally enroll in a program that will provide the necessary education and training. And in order to pick the best one you must research and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. Once they have identified some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when assessing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are looking at before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

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Vet Tech Training Options

Phoenix Arizona vet checking dog's blood pressure

Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many tasks that they can perform within the Phoenix AZ veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialty.

  • Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
  • Vet Technicians receive more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years to complete. Therefore the main 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 options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered

Phoenix Arizona woman taking vet tech classes onlineAn option that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Phoenix AZ veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for commuting and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech program may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

Phoenix Arizona cat in portable kennel in veterinary hospitalAt this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Phoenix AZ area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want 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 reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Phoenix AZ area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking 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 concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Phoenix AZ veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Phoenix AZ veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Phoenix AZ veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Phoenix AZ colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we previously talked about 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 Phoenix AZ home, you have to 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, especially if the college is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are exploring 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 Phoenix 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 offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your active life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Vet Tech in Phoenix

Enroll in the Best Phoenix Vet Technologist School

Selecting the ideal veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician programs need to make their determination based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it's imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Phoenix Arizona.



 

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