Veterinary Technician School
How to Select the Best One Near Phoenix Arizona

Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Phoenix AZ could initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a college that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. And so that you pick the best one you must evaluate and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. Once they have located some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when assessing vet tech programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

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

Vet Tech Degree Options

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Phoenix AZ veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, 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 techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and typically obtain a two 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 differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians 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 also.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered

An approach that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Phoenix AZ veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified 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 self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

At this point you should have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Phoenix AZ area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician program you enroll in 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 gone through a rigorous review process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Phoenix AZ area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Phoenix AZ vet clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Phoenix AZ veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate could indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify 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 well regarded 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 receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Phoenix AZ colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Phoenix 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could 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 imperative that you find out if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Phoenix AZ. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Technologist in Phoenix

Enroll in the Right Phoenix Veterinary Technologist School

Choosing the right vet tech college is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students looking into veterinary technician colleges need to make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Phoenix Arizona.

 

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