Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Union Pier MI

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Union Pier Michigan

Union Pier MI vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Union Pier MI may at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting schools so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. Once they have identified some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when comparing vet technician programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Union Pier MI

cat with cone after surgery in Union Pier MI Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal factor will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of tasks that they can carry out within the Union Pier MI veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian 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 the majority of cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from 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 execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and typically obtain 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 duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Union Pier

student attending online vet tech school in Union Pier MI An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Union Pier MI veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, such as for travel and study materials, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Union Pier MI Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Union Pier MI vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Union Pier MI area as well as across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among 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 rigorous screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for many Union Pier MI area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Michigan school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Union Pier MI veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Union Pier MI veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate might signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Union Pier MI vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Union Pier MI schools you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe 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 methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Union Pier MI home, you have to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could 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 imperative that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Union Pier MI. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Union Pier MI?

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

Union Pier, Michigan

Union Pier is an unincorporated community in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated between the Lake Michigan shore and the Galien River about five miles north of the Indiana state border.

During the summer of 1914 a colony of Chicago bohemians, including the writers Sherwood Anderson and Ben Hecht, vacationed at the "Camp's Cottages" (for the owner Eli Camp) on the Union Pier beach. The local residents were outraged by what they believed were the wild goings-on at "The Nudist Club," as they characterized it, particularly after two local men left their wives for women staying at Camp's. The locals made the situation sufficiently uncomfortable for the vacationers that they did not return the next year.[1]

After the end of World War II, many Lithuanian immigrants began settling in Union Pier. Although few Lithuanian-Americans remain today, several Lithuanian facilities remain, such as Milda's Corner Market and Gintaras Resort.

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech Program near Union Pier MI

Union Pier MI vet tech holding dog Picking the right vet tech school is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician schools need to make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative 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 colleges as well. By asking the questions provided 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 choosing the best college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Union Pier MI.