Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Bloomington MN

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near Bloomington Minnesota

Bloomington MN vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Bloomington MN may at first seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must find and enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing programs so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. When they have identified some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant factors when evaluating veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are looking at before you make a final decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Bloomington MN

cat with cone after surgery in Bloomington MN One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant 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 main determiner will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Bloomington MN veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. 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 involved with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and typically earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 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 options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Bloomington MN labs or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Bloomington

student attending online vet tech school in Bloomington MN An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Bloomington MN veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for travel and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Bloomington MN Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Bloomington MN vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Bloomington MN area and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for a number of Bloomington MN area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Minnesota school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Bloomington MN veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Bloomington MN veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding 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 programs you are reviewing. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Bloomington MN veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low 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, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Bloomington MN schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations 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 College Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Bloomington MN home, you need to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Bloomington MN. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Bloomington MN?

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

Bloomington, Minnesota

Bloomington is the fifth largest city, as of 2016 estimates, in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is located in Hennepin County on the north bank of the Minnesota River, above its confluence with the Mississippi River. Bloomington lies 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Minneapolis.[6] As of the 2010 census the city's population was 82,893,[7] and in 2016 the estimated population was 85,319.[4]

Established as a post–World War II housing boom suburb connected to the urban street grid of Minneapolis and serviced by two major freeways, Interstate 35W and Interstate 494, Bloomington's residential areas include upper-tier households in the western Bush Lake area and traditional middle-class families in its rows of single-family homes in the central to eastern portions. Large-scale commercial development is concentrated along the Interstate 494 corridor. Besides an extensive city park system, with over 1,000 square feet (93 m2) of parkland per capita,[8] Bloomington is also home to Hyland Lake Park Reserve in the west and Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in the southeast.

Bloomington has more jobs per capita than either Minneapolis or Saint Paul, due to the United States' largest enclosed shopping center, the Mall of America,[9] and the only IKEA in Minnesota. The headquarters of Ceridian, Donaldson Company, HealthPartners and Toro, and major operations of Express Scripts, Seagate Technologies and Wells Fargo Bank are also based in the city.

Choose the Best Vet Tech College near Bloomington MN

Bloomington MN vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students considering vet tech schools must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Bloomington MN.