Vet Technician Program
How to Select the Right One Near Tempe Arizona
Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Tempe AZ may initially feel like an overwhelming task. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you must first locate and ultimately enroll in a school that will provide the necessary education and training. 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 aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. After they have identified some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant considerations when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.
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Vet Tech Degree Options
Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Tempe AZ veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.
- Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
- Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. So the main 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 options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Tempe AZ labs or research facilities as well.
Online Vet Tech Schools Available
An option that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Tempe AZ veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for travel and study materials, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Tempe AZ area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose 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). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Tempe AZ area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Tempe AZ veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with Tempe AZ veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Tempe AZ veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement 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 personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Tempe AZ colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Tempe AZ home, you have to confirm 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 school is located close by or within a larger 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 costs especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Tempe AZ. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.
Learn More About How to Become a Veterinary Tech in Tempe
Enroll in the Right Tempe Vet Technologist Program
Selecting the ideal vet tech college is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you choose 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 options so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Tempe Arizona.