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How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Ann Arbor Michigan

Ann Arbor MI vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Ann Arbor MI could initially seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. After they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Ann Arbor MI

cat with cone after surgery in Ann Arbor MI Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous tasks that they can carry out within the Ann Arbor MI veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the standard vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and usually earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Ann Arbor MI labs or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Ann Arbor

student attending online vet tech school in Ann Arbor MI An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Ann Arbor MI veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for commuting and study supplies, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program 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 included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Ann Arbor MI Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Ann Arbor MI vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Ann Arbor MI area as well as across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected 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 essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Ann Arbor MI area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Michigan school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Ann Arbor MI vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Ann Arbor MI veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Ann Arbor MI veterinarian community and has a considerable 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 larger, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Ann Arbor MI programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Ann Arbor MI home, you must make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Ann Arbor MI. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Ann Arbor MI?

If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Ann Arbor Michigan area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan. The university significantly shapes Ann Arbor's economy as it employs about 30,000 workers, including about 12,000 in the medical center. The city's economy is also centered on high technology, with several companies drawn to the area by the university's research and development infrastructure.[7]

Ann Arbor was founded in 1824, named for wives of the village's founders, both named Ann, and the stands of bur oak trees.[8] The University of Michigan moved from Detroit to Ann Arbor in 1837, and the city grew at a rapid rate in the early to mid-20th century. During the 1960s and 1970s, the city gained a reputation as a center for left-wing politics. Ann Arbor became a focal point for political activism, such as opposition to the Vietnam War and support for the legalization of cannabis.

Ann Arbor was founded in 1824 by land speculators John Allen and Elisha Walker Rumsey. On May 25, 1824, the town plat was registered with Wayne County as "Annarbour", the earliest known use of the town's name.[10] Allen and Rumsey decided to name it for their wives, both named Ann, and for the stands of bur oak in the 640 acres (260 ha) of land they purchased for $800 from the federal government at $1.25 per acre.[8] The local Ojibwa named the settlement kaw-goosh-kaw-nick, after the sound of Allen's sawmill.[11]

Enroll in the Best Vet Tech School near Ann Arbor MI

Ann Arbor MI vet tech holding dog Selecting the right vet tech program is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students considering veterinary technician programs must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you pick 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 reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the ideal college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Ann Arbor MI.