Vet Tech Schools near Laveen AZ 85339

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Laveen Arizona

Laveen AZ vet tech holding dog during examFulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary school near Laveen AZ could initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you go about evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the right choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. When they have identified some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important factors when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the various responsibilities of vet assistants and techs and the training options offered.

The Role of a Veterinary Assistant and Tech

Laveen AZ vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyAmong the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main determiner will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Laveen AZ veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialty.

  • Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Laveen AZ. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
  • Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years to complete. 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 potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Laveen AZ area research facilities as well.

Online Vet Schools

attending vet tech school online in Laveen AZAn alternative that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at an area Laveen AZ veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for travel and study materials, may be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet technician or assistant program may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Vet Assistant and Tech Training Programs

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Laveen AZAt this point you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Arizona as well as across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the Laveen AZ veterinary assistant and tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech or assistant school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, 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 rigorous review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Laveen AZ veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can begin 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 online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Laveen AZ vet clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with area veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local Laveen AZ veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary assistant or tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate might suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the Laveen AZ school has an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean 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 in size, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Laveen AZ schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet technician classes from work or home, you must make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the Laveen AZ school is located in or near a larger 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 especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the Arizona veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available near Laveen AZ prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Veterinary Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a veterinary position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask veterinary candidates is "What made you pick veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being a veterinary technician, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to veterinary care, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an exceptional vet tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Veterinary Tech School near Laveen AZ

Picking the ideal veterinary assistant or tech school is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into veterinary tech or assistant schools need to make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary techs, assistants and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and support 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 evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, tech or technologist in Laveen AZ.

A Little Bit About Laveen AZ

Laveen, Phoenix

Laveen /ləˈviːn/ is an "urban village" within the city of Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, situated eight miles (13 km) southwest of Downtown Phoenix between South Mountain and the confluence of the Gila and Salt rivers.[1] Parts of Laveen constitute an unincorporated community in Maricopa County, while the remainder falls within the city limits of Phoenix, constituting the city's "Laveen Village". Laveen Village is split between District 7 and District 8, both notable as minority-majority districts for the city. Although Laveen has been home to "pastoral alfalfa, cotton, and dairy farms"[2] since the 1880s, housing and commercial developments have been increasingly urbanizing the area.

The Laveen area was first settled by farmers and dairymen in 1884. Despite its proximity to Phoenix, the community was isolated from its larger neighbor by the Salt River, which until the Roosevelt Dam was completed in 1911 carried water year-round. The only bridged crossing was at Central Avenue, more than six miles (10 km) away.[3][4] Because of its isolation, like the rest of south Phoenix early Laveen was autonomous of Phoenix and became relatively self-sufficient, supporting two general stores, a barbershop, repair garage, two pool halls, and a building for the Laveen Women's Club. These businesses served as important gathering places for the greater Laveen community, which includes modern south Phoenix and the neighboring Gila River Indian Community (GRIC)[3]

In the early 1900s, Walter E. Laveen and his family homesteaded an area encompassing all four corners of present-day 51st Avenue and Dobbins Road, where they also built the area's first general store—the Laveen Store—on the southeast corner. Members of the Laveen family donated land adjacent to their store for a school, which was built in 1913 and named Laveen School.[4] A second general store, the Del Monte Market, was built in 1908 at 27th Avenue and Dobbins Road and is considered the oldest still standing building in Laveen.[5]

 

 

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