Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Sedona Arizona

Realizing your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Sedona AZ could at first seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must find and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the proper choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. Once they have located some local schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when assessing vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated also. The bottom line is that prior to making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all relevant aspects of the programs you are assessing. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

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

Vet Tech Education Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Sedona AZ veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and typically earn a two 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 duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved activities, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Sedona AZ labs or research facilities also.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Sedona AZ area and across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's important that you make sure that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, 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 an extensive review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Sedona AZ area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinary trade school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Sedona AZ vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Sedona AZ veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of 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 higher placement rate might indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Sedona AZ veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Sedona AZ colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Sedona AZ home, you must make sure 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 near or in a large 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 higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's imperative that you determine if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Sedona AZ. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Vet Technologist in Sedona

Chosse the Best Sedona Vet Technologist School

Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students considering vet tech schools must make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Sedona Arizona.

 

Sedona Vet Tech Colleges | Sedona Veterinary Technician Schools