Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Select the Best One Near Prescott Valley Arizona

Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Prescott Valley AZ might initially feel like a daunting endeavor. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the right selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. When they have located some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when assessing vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are considering before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll go over the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

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

Vet Technician Education Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Prescott Valley AZ veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade 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. Generally they are not involved with more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years. Therefore 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 work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered

An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Prescott Valley AZ veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for example for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

By now you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Prescott Valley AZ area and across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's important that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a precondition for employment for many Prescott Valley AZ area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The vet college or vocational school and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet 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 grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Prescott Valley AZ vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get 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 best means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Prescott Valley AZ veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate could signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Prescott Valley AZ vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Prescott Valley AZ schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to 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 Campus Located?  Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Prescott Valley AZ home, you need to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, 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 close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's essential that you ascertain if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Prescott Valley AZ. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Vet Technologist in Prescott Valley

Enroll in the Right Prescott Valley Veterinary Technologist College

Picking the appropriate vet tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Prescott Valley Arizona.

 

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