How to Enroll In a Vet Tech School near Flagstaff Arizona
Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet program near Flagstaff AZ may at first seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their residences. Once they have identified some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the varied roles of vet assistants and techs and the training options available.
The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician and Assistant
Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be predicated 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 vet techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many jobs that they can perform within the Flagstaff AZ veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college near Flagstaff AZ. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
- Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and normally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years. Therefore 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 job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Flagstaff AZ area research facilities also.
Online Veterinarian Courses
An option 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 program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at an area Flagstaff AZ veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary tech or assistant school may be the perfect choice for you.
What to Ask Vet Assistant and Tech Schools
At this point you should have selected which veterinary certificate or degree that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in Arizona and across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the Flagstaff AZ veterinary assistant and tech programs that you are looking at.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet technician or assistant school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Flagstaff AZ vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with 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 grievances or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Flagstaff AZ vet clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet assistant or technician is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with local veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local Flagstaff AZ veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary tech or assistant school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate might signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the Flagstaff AZ college has an outstanding reputation within the vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Flagstaff AZ colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet assistant classes from work or home, you have to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the Flagstaff AZ campus is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the Arizona vet schools 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 at night. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available near Flagstaff AZ prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.
Why Did You Want to Be a Veterinary Technician?
When prepping to interview for a veterinary position, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask veterinary applicants is "What compelled you to decide on veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for being a vet assistant, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding vet tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.Select the Ideal Veterinary Technologist Training Program near Flagstaff AZ
Picking the appropriate vet technician college is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Students considering vet tech or assistant programs must make their decision based on several key issues. Vet assistants, techs and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet assistant, technician or technologist in Flagstaff AZ.
A Little Bit About Flagstaff AZ
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff is a city in and the county seat of Coconino County[6] in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. In 2015, the city's estimated population was 70,320.[7] Flagstaff's combined metropolitan area has an estimated population of 139,097. The city is named after a ponderosa pine flagpole made by a scouting party from Boston (known as the "Second Boston Party") to celebrate the United States Centennial on July 4, 1876.[8]
Flagstaff lies near the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau, along the western side of the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the continental United States.[9] Flagstaff is located adjacent to Mount Elden, just south of the San Francisco Peaks, the highest mountain range in the state of Arizona. Humphreys Peak, the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet (3,851 m), is located about 10 miles (16 km) north of Flagstaff in Kachina Peaks Wilderness.
Flagstaff's early economy was based on the lumber, railroad, and ranching industries. Today, the city remains an important distribution hub for companies such as Nestlé Purina PetCare, and is home to Lowell Observatory, The U.S. Naval Observatory, the United States Geological Survey Flagstaff Station, and Northern Arizona University. Flagstaff has a strong tourism sector, due to its proximity to Grand Canyon National Park, Oak Creek Canyon, the Arizona Snowbowl, Meteor Crater, and historic Route 66. The city is also a center for medical device manufacturing, since Flagstaff is home to W. L. Gore and Associates.
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