Veterinary Technician Degree Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Phoenix Arizona

Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Phoenix AZ may initially feel like an overwhelming task. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you must first search for and finally enroll in a school that will provide the required training and education. But just how do you tackle analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the proper selection? When looking for vet tech programs, many potential students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes. After they have found some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll talk about the different responsibilities 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

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Phoenix AZ veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and generally acquire 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 general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges

By now you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you want 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 need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Phoenix AZ area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The vet college or vocational school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Phoenix AZ vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Phoenix AZ veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Phoenix AZ veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Phoenix AZ colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Phoenix AZ home, you must make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Phoenix AZ. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Phoenix

Chosse the Right Phoenix Veterinary Technologist School

Enrolling in the ideal vet tech school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students considering vet tech programs need to make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it's very important that you pick 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 included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Phoenix Arizona.

 

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