Tag Archives: Colleges for Vet Techs Hickam Afb HI 96853

Vet Tech Schools near Hickam Afb HI 96853

How to Find the Right Vet Tech Training near Hickam Afb Hawaii

Hickam Afb HI vet tech holding dog during examAchieving your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet college near Hickam Afb HI might at first seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the correct choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their homes. After they have located some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied responsibilities of vet assistants and techs and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Veterinary Assistant and Technician

Hickam Afb HI vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyOne of the first 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 dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many jobs that they can carry out within the Hickam Afb HI veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialty.

  • Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school near Hickam Afb HI. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
  • Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and typically acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years. So 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 work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Hickam Afb HI area research facilities also.

Online Vet Training Programs

attending vet tech school online in Hickam Afb HIAn approach that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various 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 a local Hickam Afb HI veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. 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 fashion, an online vet tech or assistant school may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Degree Programs

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Hickam Afb HIAt this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in Hawaii and across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the Hickam Afb HI vet technician and assistant colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It’s imperative that you verify that the vet assistant or technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. 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 demanding screening process that verifies you will get 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 schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Hickam Afb HI vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Hawaii school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Hickam Afb HI veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet assistant or technician is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with regional veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local Hickam Afb HI veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician or assistant program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the Hickam Afb HI program has an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Hickam Afb HI programs you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Okay, we previously discussed 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 home or work, you need to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the Hickam Afb HI college is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it’s imperative that you find out if the Hawaii 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. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available near Hickam Afb HI before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Vet Assistant?

When getting ready to interview for a veterinary job, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask veterinary applicants is "What compelled you to pick veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming a vet assistant, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to veterinary care, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize several approaches about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an exceptional vet tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Best Vet Assistant School near Hickam Afb HI

Enrolling in the right vet assistant or tech college is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Students looking into veterinary assistant or tech schools must make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary assistants, techs and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet technician, assistant or technologist in Hickam Afb HI.

A Little Bit About Hickam Afb HI

Hickam Air Force Base

Hickam Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation, named in honor of aviation pioneer Lieutenant Colonel Horace Meek Hickam. The base merged with the Naval Base Pearl Harbor to become part of the Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. The base neighbors Honolulu International Airport and currently shares runways with the airport for its activities and purposes.

Hickam is home to the 15th Wing (15 WG) and 67 partner units including Headquarters of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), Hawaii Air National Guard and the 154th Wing (154 WG) of the Hawaii Air National Guard. The Air Mobility Command's 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing (515 AMOW) provides tactical and strategic airlift within the Pacific region.

In addition, Hickam supports 140 tenant and associate units.

 

 

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