Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Great Falls MT

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Great Falls Montana

Great Falls MT vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Great Falls MT may initially feel like a daunting endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. When they have found some area colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are looking at before you make a final selection. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the varied roles of vet techs and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Great Falls MT

cat with cone after surgery in Great Falls MT Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many functions that they can perform within the Great Falls MT veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training in contrast to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Great Falls MT laboratories or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Great Falls

student attending online vet tech school in Great Falls MT An approach that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Great Falls MT veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Great Falls MT Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Great Falls MT vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinary degree that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Great Falls MT area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously 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 gone through an extensive screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Great Falls MT area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Montana school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Great Falls MT veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend some 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 medical setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Great Falls MT veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Great Falls MT vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Great Falls MT programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Great Falls MT home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located close by or within a large city. Also, 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 fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are exploring 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 at night near Great Falls MT. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Great Falls MT?

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

Great Falls, Montana

Great Falls is a town in and the county seat of Cascade County, Montana, United States.[4] The 2017 census estimate put the population at 58,638.[5] The population was 58,505 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Great Falls, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Cascade County and has a population of 82,278.[6] Great Falls was the largest city in Montana from 1950 to 1970, when Billings surpassed it. Great Falls remained the second largest city in Montana until 2000, when it was passed by Missoula.[7] Since then Great Falls has been the third largest city in the state.[8]

Great Falls takes its name from the series of five waterfalls in close proximity along the upper Missouri River basin that the Lewis and Clark Expedition had to portage around over a ten-mile stretch; the effort required 31 days of arduous labor during the westward leg of their 1805–06 exploration of the Louisiana Purchase and to the Pacific Northwest Coast of the Oregon Country. Each falls sports a hydroelectric dam today, hence Great Falls is nicknamed "the Electric City". Currently there are two undeveloped parts of their portage route; these are included within the Great Falls Portage, a National Historic Landmark.

The city is home to the C. M. Russell Museum Complex, the University of Providence, Great Falls College Montana State University, Giant Springs, the Roe River (claimed to be the world's shortest river), the Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind, the Great Falls Voyagers minor league baseball team, and is adjacent to Malmstrom Air Force Base. The local newspaper is the Great Falls Tribune.

Enroll in the Best Vet Tech College near Great Falls MT

Great Falls MT vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician school is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Great Falls MT.