How to Pick a Vet Tech School near Auburn Michigan

Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Auburn MI might at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you must find and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the right selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have found some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important factors when assessing vet technician programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing 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 vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Auburn MI 

Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Auburn MI veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a formal 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 vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Auburn MI labs or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Auburn

An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Auburn MI veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for traveling and study supplies, can be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Auburn MI Veterinary Technician Schools

By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Auburn MI area as well as across the Country, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered 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 Auburn MI area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation?  The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Michigan school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Auburn MI vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Auburn MI veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Auburn MI veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Auburn MI programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Auburn MI home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with 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 college is located close by or within a large 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 higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it’s important that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at 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 at night near Auburn MI. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Auburn MI?

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

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Auburn MI

Selecting the ideal veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on a number of 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 discussed, it’s essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Auburn MI.

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