How to Pick a Vet Tech Training near Valdez Alaska
Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet college near Valdez AK could initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing programs so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. After they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied responsibilities of vet techs and assistants and the training options available.
The Role of a Veterinary Tech and Assistant
One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can carry out within the Valdez AK veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school near Valdez AK. 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 involved activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually earn 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 fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 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 work opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Valdez AK area research facilities also.
Veterinary Online Training Classes
An approach that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at an area Valdez AK veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for commuting and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school 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 complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary tech or assistant program may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technologist Training Programs
At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian certificate or degree that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Alaska as well as across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the Valdez AK vet assistant and technician schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet technician or assistant school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 undergone an extensive screening process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Valdez AK veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Alaska school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Valdez AK vet 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 suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech or assistant is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with area veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local Valdez AK vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary assistant or technician school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the Valdez AK program has an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community and has a substantial 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 a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Valdez AK programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback 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 School Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary tech classes from home or work, you must make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the Valdez AK college is located close by or within a large city. In addition, 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 costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the Alaska veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available near Valdez AK prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.
Why Did You Choose to Become a Vet Tech?
When preparing to interview for a veterinary job, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask veterinary candidates is "What drove you to select veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being a veterinary technician, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to veterinary care, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must ready a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding vet tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.Select the Best Veterinary Assistant School near Valdez AK
Choosing the ideal vet assistant or tech college is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students looking into veterinary tech or assistant colleges must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Vet assistants, techs and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. 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 choosing the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist in Valdez AK.
A Little Bit About Valdez AK
Valdez, Alaska
Valdez (/vælˈdiːz, vəlˈdɛz/; Alutiiq: Suacit) is a city in Valdez-Cordova Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska. According to the 2010 US Census, the population of the city is 3,976, down from 4,036 in 2000. The city was named in 1790 after the Spanish Navy Minister Antonio Valdés y Fernández Bazán. A former Gold Rush town, it is located at the head of a fjord on the eastern side of Prince William Sound. The port did not flourish until after the road link to Fairbanks was constructed in 1899. It suffered huge damage during the 1964 Alaska earthquake, and is located near the site of the disastrous 1989 Exxon Valdez oil tanker spill. Today it is one of the most important ports in Alaska, a commercial fishing port as well as a freight terminal.
The port of Valdez was named in 1790 by the Spanish explorer Salvador Fidalgo after the Spanish naval officer Antonio Valdés y Fernández Bazán.[4] A scam to lure prospectors off the Klondike Gold Rush trail led to a town being developed there in 1898. Some steamship companies promoted the Valdez Glacier Trail as a better route for miners to reach the Klondike gold fields and discover new ones in the Copper River country of interior Alaska than that from Skagway. The prospectors who believed the promotion found that they had been deceived. The glacier trail was twice as long and steep as reported, and many men died attempting the crossing, in part by contracting scurvy during the long cold winter without adequate supplies. The town did not flourish until after the construction of the Richardson Highway in 1899, which connected Valdez and Fairbanks. With a new road and its ice-free port, Valdez became permanently established as the first overland supply route into the interior of Alaska. The highway was open in summer-only until 1950, when it was operated as a year-round route.[5]
In 1907, a shootout between two rival railroad companies ended Valdez's hope of becoming the railroad link from tidewater to the Kennicott Copper Mine. The mine, located in the heart of the Wrangell-St.Elias Mountains, was one of the richest copper ore deposits on the continent. The exact location of the right-of-way dispute, in which one man was killed and several injured, is located at the southern entrance of Keystone Canyon on the Valdez side. A half-completed tunnel in the canyon marks the end of railroad days in Valdez. A rail line to Kennicott was later established from the coastal city of Cordova.[5]
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