How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Girdwood Alaska
Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary college near Girdwood AK might at first feel like a daunting endeavor. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the proper selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. After they have identified some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different duties of vet assistants and techs and the training alternatives available.
The Role of a Vet Tech and Assistant
Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Girdwood AK veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college near Girdwood AK. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared 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 veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Girdwood AK area research facilities also.
Online Vet Programs
An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at an area Girdwood AK veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for travel and study materials, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program 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 furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary tech or assistant program may be the perfect option for you.
Things to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Tech Programs
At this point you should have determined which veterinarian certificate or degree that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Alaska as well as across the USA, you should ask some important 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 previously pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the Girdwood AK vet technician and assistant colleges that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary assistant or technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Girdwood AK veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Alaska school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Girdwood AK veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet assistant or technician is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs established with area veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local Girdwood AK veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician or assistant program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the Girdwood AK program has an excellent reputation within the vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well 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 receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Girdwood AK schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from home or work, you must make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the Girdwood AK campus is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the Alaska vet programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered near Girdwood AK before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Vet Assistant?
When preparing to interview for a veterinary position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask veterinary applicants is "What made you decide on 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 also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to veterinary care, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional vet tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.Enroll in the Ideal Veterinary Assistant Degree Program near Girdwood AK
Enrolling in the ideal vet assistant or tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet tech or assistant schools must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary assistants, techs and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet technician, assistant or technologist in Girdwood AK.
A Little Bit About Girdwood AK
Girdwood, Anchorage
Girdwood is a resort town within the southern extent of the Municipality of Anchorage in the state of Alaska. Located near the end of the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet, Girdwood lies in a valley in the southwestern Chugach Mountains, surrounded by seven glaciers feeding into a number of creeks, which either converge within the valley or empty directly into the arm. Girdwood is typically accessed by the Seward Highway (Milepost 90), with the main line of the Alaska Railroad paralleling the highway. By road distance, most of the community lies within 35 to 40 miles (56 to 64 km) of downtown Anchorage. According to 2014 estimates, a little under 2,000 people live in the valley.
Founded as a community to supply miners during the Turnagain Arm gold rushes of the 1890s, Girdwood was mostly a small, quiet place until the middle of the 20th century. Two events drastically altered that. The first was the establishment of Alyeska Resort along the slopes of Mount Alyeska, which became an international destination coincidental with Anchorage's civic promotion of itself as "The Air Crossroads of the World". The second was the 1964 earthquake, which devastated the original townsite located directly along the arm. Following the earthquake, most of the town moved further up the valley to a new townsite, though a few homes remained and a strip mall was later constructed along the Seward Highway. Historically dominated in the years since the resort's opening by seasonally-occupied vacation homes and seasonal activity at the resort, the opening of the Alyeska Prince Hotel during the 1990s has shifted the resort, and hence Girdwood as a whole, more towards year-round activity and a year-round economy. This has led to periodic debates about community growth and affordability of housing for resort workers, many of whom over the years have resorted to camping illegally on public lands.
Girdwood still revolves heavily around seasonal activity, with skiing and snowboarding at Alyeska Resort bringing visitors and their money into the community. Summer activities are also popular, which include hiking, fishing and rafting. The Girdwood Forest Fair, held every July, is the community's most significant visitor attraction apart from resort-related activities. Girdwood is located within the northernmost extent of rain forest on Earth, and also serves as the closest point of access to Chugach National Forest from Anchorage proper.
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