Vet Technician Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Tucson Arizona

Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Tucson AZ might at first seem like a challenging task. But to be successful as a practicing veterinary technician, you need to first locate and finally enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training and education. And in order to pick the right one you must research and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. When they have identified some area colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant factors when comparing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the programs you are examining. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll talk about the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Technician Degree Options

One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Tucson AZ veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern 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 execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered

An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Tucson AZ veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for travel and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs

At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Tucson AZ area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier 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 gone through a demanding review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a requirement for employment for many Tucson AZ area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The vet trade school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Tucson AZ veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Tucson AZ veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Tucson AZ veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Tucson AZ programs you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Tucson AZ home, you need to confirm that the driving 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 campus is located near or in 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 fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's important that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Tucson AZ. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Tucson

Enroll in the Right Tucson Veterinary Technologist College

Selecting the ideal vet tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it's essential 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 reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Tucson Arizona.

 

Tucson Veterinary Technician Schools | Tucson Online Vet Tech Programs