Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Laramie Wyoming

Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Laramie WY might at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a program that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. And in order to pick the right one you must evaluate and compare each of the schools you have placed on your short list. When checking out vet tech schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes. When they have identified some local schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important factors when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Tech Degree Options

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Laramie WY veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Laramie WY laboratories or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered

An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule 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 veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Laramie WY veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, such as for travel and study materials, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical 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 program may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Laramie WY area and across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's important that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among 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 verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Laramie WY area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Wyoming school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Laramie WY veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Laramie WY veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Laramie WY vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Laramie WY programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Laramie WY home, you need to confirm that the commuting time fits into 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 attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Laramie WY. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Laramie

Chosse the Right Laramie Veterinary Technologist Program

Enrolling in the right veterinary technician program is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet tech schools need to make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Laramie Wyoming.

 

Laramie Veterinary Technician Schools | Laramie Online Vet Tech Programs