Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Andrews Air Force Base MD

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Andrews Air Force Base Maryland

Andrews Air Force Base MD vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Andrews Air Force Base MD might initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a school that will furnish the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. After they have identified some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Andrews Air Force Base MD

cat with cone after surgery in Andrews Air Force Base MD Among 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 based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Andrews Air Force Base MD veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training in contrast to assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Andrews Air Force Base MD labs or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Andrews Air Force Base

student attending online vet tech school in Andrews Air Force Base MD An option that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Andrews Air Force Base MD veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Andrews Air Force Base MD Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Andrews Air Force Base MD vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinary 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 veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Andrews Air Force Base MD area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Andrews Air Force Base MD area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Maryland school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Andrews Air Force Base MD veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Andrews Air Force Base MD veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by way of 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 vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could signify 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 colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Andrews Air Force Base MD veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Andrews Air Force Base MD schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a few 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 backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Andrews Air Force Base MD home, 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 college is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Andrews Air Force Base MD. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Andrews Air Force Base MD?

If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Andrews Air Force Base Maryland area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.

Andrews Air Force Base

Andrews Air Force Base (Andrews AFB, AAFB) is the airfield portion of Joint Base Andrews which is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force.[3] In 2009, Andrews Air Force Base merged with Naval Air Facility Washington to form Joint Base Andrews. Andrews is the home base of two Boeing VC-25A aircraft with the call sign Air Force One when the president is on board, that serve the President of the United States.[4]

The host unit at Andrews is the 11th Wing, assigned to the Air Force District of Washington. It is responsible for maintaining emergency reaction rotary-wing airlift and other National Capital Region contingency response capabilities critical to national security, and for organizing, training, equipping and deploying combat-ready forces for Air and Space Expeditionary Forces (AEFs). The wing commander is Colonel Kenneth R. Rizer.[5] The Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant Anthony Brinkley.[6]

Union American Civil War troops used a country church near Camp Springs, Maryland for sleeping quarters (now named Chapel Two)[8] and on 25 August 1941, President Roosevelt directed use of the land for an airfield.[citation needed]

Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technician School near Andrews Air Force Base MD

Andrews Air Force Base MD vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about veterinary technician colleges need to make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Andrews Air Force Base MD.