How to Choose a Vet Tech Training near Litchfield Park Arizona
Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary college near Litchfield Park AZ could initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must find and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. When they have located some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the varied duties of vet assistants and techs and the training alternatives available.
The Role of a Vet Technician and Assistant
One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Litchfield Park AZ veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each position.
- Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Litchfield Park AZ. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
- Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Litchfield Park AZ area research facilities as well.
Veterinary Online Colleges
An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Litchfield Park AZ veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary tech or assistant program may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Tech Training Programs
At this point you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in Arizona as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the Litchfield Park AZ veterinary technician and assistant colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet assistant or tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Litchfield Park AZ veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Litchfield Park AZ vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get practical hands on experience as a vet assistant or tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with area veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local Litchfield Park AZ veterinarian community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary assistant or 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 evaluating. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the Litchfield Park AZ college has an excellent reputation within the veterinary 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 ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Litchfield Park AZ schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary assistant classes from home or work, you have to make sure 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, especially if the Litchfield Park AZ school is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you determine if the Arizona vet programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered near Litchfield Park AZ before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.
Why Did You Decide to Become a Vet Technician?
When getting ready to interview for a veterinary job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask veterinary candidates is "What compelled you to decide on 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 additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to veterinary care, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you should organize a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding vet tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.Select the Ideal Veterinary Tech College near Litchfield Park AZ
Picking the ideal vet technician college is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about veterinary assistant or tech programs need to make their selection based on a number of key factors. Vet assistants, techs and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech 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 selection. And by choosing the best school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet assistant, tech or technologist in Litchfield Park AZ.
A Little Bit About Litchfield Park AZ
Litchfield Park, Arizona
The town of Litchfield Park is an affluent community outside of Phoenix named after its founder, Paul Weeks Litchfield (1875–1959). He was an executive of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company who came to the Phoenix area in 1916 in search of suitable land to farm a long-staple cotton that had previously been available only from the Sea Islands off the coast of Georgia and from Egypt. This cotton was needed to strengthen the rubber in the pneumatic tire, of which Goodyear was the world's largest producer. The east coast cotton supply had been devastated by the boll weevil and the African supply had been greatly reduced by World War I attacks from German U-boats. Litchfield went to the Phoenix area at the suggestion of the United States Department of Agriculture, but he was not successful in motivating local farmers to grow his cotton. Instead he got Goodyear to form the Southwest Cotton Company in Phoenix, with Litchfield as its president, eventually purchasing some 36,000 acres in the general Salt River Valley area including 5,000 acres around the present site of Litchfield Park, then known as Litchfield Ranch. Much of the land was bought for as little as $25 per acre. The cotton was cultivated with a workforce of mostly Mexican and Native American men. The U.S. Postal Service agreed to the name "Litchfield Park" in 1926. In 1929, the Wigwam Resort was opened to the public. In 1926, Litchfield went on to become the president of the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation,[4] and then Chairman of the Board in 1930. He retired from the company in 1958, and spent the final months of his life as a resident of Litchfield Park at his home on Fairway Drive.[5]
In 1964, Goodyear created Litchfield Park Land and Development Co. to expand Litchfield Park into a 90,000 resident community.[6][7]Arden E. Goodyear was the head of the company, Patrick Cusick was vice president and general manager, and Victor Gruen was hired to design some of the buildings. Emanuel Cartsonis, who had worked with Cusick became city planner. The plan called for 25,000 homes, a college, a junior college, eighteen elementary schools, ten junior high schools, and six high schools, as well as improvements to the town's golf course and harness track at an expense of at least 750 million dollars.[8] Goodyear made many mistakes during development, including selling properties right up to the curb line, which means that the city must get permission from property owners before they can put in a sidewalk. They abandoned their plans for expanding Litchfield Park before they were completed and sold whatever land they could.[9]
Litchfield Park had a population of 5,476 at the 2010 census. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 74.3% non-Hispanic white, 3.5% black or African American, 1.0% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 0.1% non-Hispanic from some other race, 2.8% two or more races and 15.4% Hispanic or Latino.[12]
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