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How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near Juneau Alaska

Juneau AK vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Juneau AK may at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a college that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. When they have located some local colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when evaluating vet technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are considering before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Juneau AK

cat with cone after surgery in Juneau AK Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Juneau AK veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone 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 trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training in contrast to 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 veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Juneau AK laboratories or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Juneau

student attending online vet tech school in Juneau AK An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Juneau AK veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Juneau AK Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Juneau AK vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish 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, vocational and technical schools in the Juneau AK area as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among 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 rigorous screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, 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 prerequisite for employment for many Juneau AK area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Alaska school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Juneau AK veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Juneau AK veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate might indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Juneau AK veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Juneau AK colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Juneau AK home, you must confirm 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by 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 increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the veterinary programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Juneau AK. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Juneau AK?

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

Juneau, Alaska

The City and Borough of Juneau (/ˈdʒuːnoʊ/ JOO-noh; Tlingit: Dzánti K'ihéeni [ˈtsántʰì kʼìˈhíːnì]), commonly known as Juneau, is the capital city of Alaska. It is a unified municipality on Gastineau Channel in the Alaskan panhandle, and it is the second largest city in the United States by area. Juneau has been the capital of Alaska since 1906, when the government of what was the District of Alaska was moved from Sitka as dictated by the U.S. Congress in 1900.[citation needed] The municipality unified on July 1, 1970, when the city of Juneau merged with the city of Douglas and the surrounding Greater Juneau Borough to form the current municipality,[3] which is larger by area than both Rhode Island and Delaware.

Downtown Juneau (58°18′07″N 134°25′11″W / 58.30194°N 134.41972°W / 58.30194; -134.41972) is nestled at the base of Mount Juneau and across the channel from Douglas Island. As of the 2010 census, the City and Borough had a population of 31,276. In 2014, the population estimate from the United States Census Bureau was 32,406, making it the second most populous city in Alaska after Anchorage.[4]Fairbanks, however, is the state's second most populous metropolitan area, with roughly 100,000 residents. Juneau's daily population can increase by roughly 6,000 people from visiting cruise ships between the months of May and September.

The city is named after a gold prospector from Quebec, Joe Juneau, though the place was for a time called Rockwell and then Harrisburg (after Juneau's co-prospector, Richard Harris). The Tlingit name of the town is Dzántik'i Héeni ("Base of the Flounder’s River," dzánti ‘flounder,’ –kʼi ‘base,’ héen ‘river’), and Auke Bay just north of Juneau proper is called Áak'w ("Little lake," áa ‘lake,’ -kʼ ‘diminutive’) in Tlingit. The Taku River, just south of Juneau, was named after the cold t'aakh wind, which occasionally blows down from the mountains.

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician College near Juneau AK

Juneau AK vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician program is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician colleges must make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online 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 choice. And by choosing the right school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Juneau AK.