How to Enroll In a Vet Tech Program near Glendale Arizona
Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet school near Glendale AZ might initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you must find and enroll in a college that will furnish the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their homes. When they have located some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the various roles of veterinary techs and assistants and the training alternatives offered.
The Job of a Veterinary Tech and Assistant
Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many duties that they can carry out within the Glendale AZ veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college near Glendale AZ. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians receive more advanced training in contrast to assistants and normally acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Glendale AZ area research facilities also.
Online Veterinarian Training Programs
An 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 made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at an area Glendale AZ veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for traveling and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech or assistant program may be the perfect choice for you.
What to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technician Schools
At this point you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Arizona and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the Glendale AZ veterinary assistant and tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician or assistant program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Glendale AZ vet practices and hospitals.
What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Glendale AZ 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 recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with local veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local Glendale AZ veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician or assistant college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the Glendale AZ school has an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Glendale AZ colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get 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 Campus Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet assistant classes from home or work, you need 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 Glendale AZ campus is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the Arizona veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others may 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 Glendale AZ before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Vet Tech?
When getting ready to interview for a veterinary position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask veterinary applicants is "What drove you to decide on veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming a vet assistant, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should ready several ideas about how you want to address them. Since there are several variables that go into selecting 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 talents you possess that make you an outstanding vet tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technologist Program near Glendale AZ
Selecting the appropriate veterinary assistant or tech school is an important first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Potential students thinking about veterinary tech or assistant schools need to make their decision based on several key factors. Vet techs, assistants and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet assistant, technician or technologist in Glendale AZ.
A Little Bit About Glendale AZ
Glendale, Arizona
Glendale /ˈɡlɛndeɪl/ is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, located about nine miles (14 km) northwest from Downtown Phoenix. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 226,721.[2]
In the late 1800s what is now known as Glendale, Arizona, was all desert. William John Murphy, a native of New Hartford, New York, who resided in the town of Flagstaff in what was then known as the territory of Arizona, was in charge of building a 40-mile-long (64 km) Arizona Canal from Granite Reef to New River for the Arizona Canal Company. In 1885, he completed the canal, which would bring water to the desert land.[4] Murphy was deep in debt, since he had agreed to be paid in Arizona Canal Company stock and bonds and land instead of cash.[5]
In 1887, Murphy formed the Arizona Improvement Company. His objective was to sell the land and water rights south of the canal. Murphy had to raise capital from out of state sources in order to meet payroll and construction expenses.[5] Murphy decided to refer to this land as "Glendale". In order to develop and interest potential investors and settlers in this new town, Murphy decided to provide a better way of access from Phoenix to Glendale and ending in the town of Peoria by building an 18-mile-long (29 km) diagonal road which he named Grand Avenue.
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