Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Fort Lauderdale FL

How to Find the Right Vet Tech School near Fort Lauderdale Florida

Fort Lauderdale FL vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Fort Lauderdale FL could at first seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach assessing and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. When they have found some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant concerns when evaluating veterinary technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered 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 in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Fort Lauderdale FL

cat with cone after surgery in Fort Lauderdale FL Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Fort Lauderdale FL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training 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 practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade 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 involved activities, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training in contrast to assistants and generally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years to complete. So the main difference 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 additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Fort Lauderdale

student attending online vet tech school in Fort Lauderdale FL An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Fort Lauderdale FL veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for traveling and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical 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 school may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Fort Lauderdale FL Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Fort Lauderdale FL vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Fort Lauderdale FL area as well as across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Fort Lauderdale FL area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Florida school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Fort Lauderdale FL veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs established with Fort Lauderdale FL veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Fort Lauderdale FL veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Fort Lauderdale FL colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for 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 College Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Fort Lauderdale FL home, you need to make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, 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 close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need 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 that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Fort Lauderdale FL. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Fort Lauderdale FL?

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

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale (/ˈlɔːdərdeɪl/) is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, 28 miles (45 km) north of Miami. It is the county seat of Broward County. The city has an estimated population of 180,072 as of the 2017 census.[10] Fort Lauderdale is a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area, which was home to an estimated 6,158,824 people in 2017.[11]

The city is a popular tourist destination, with an average year-round temperature of 75.5 °F (24.2 °C) and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. Greater Fort Lauderdale, encompassing all of Broward County, hosted 12 million visitors in 2012, including 2.8 million international visitors. In 2012, the county collected $43.9 million from the 5% hotel tax it charges, after hotels in the area recorded an occupancy rate for the year of 72.7 percent and an average daily rate of $114.48. The district has 561 hotels and motels comprising nearly 35,000 rooms. Forty-six cruise ships sailed from Port Everglades in 2012. Greater Fort Lauderdale has over 4,000 restaurants, 63 golf courses, 12 shopping malls, 16 museums, 132 nightclubs, 278 parkland campsites, and 100 marinas housing 45,000 resident yachts.[12]

Fort Lauderdale is named after a series of forts built by the United States during the Second Seminole War. The forts took their name from Major William Lauderdale (1782–1838), younger brother of Lieutenant Colonel James Lauderdale. William Lauderdale was the commander of the detachment of soldiers who built the first fort.[13] However, development of the city did not begin until 50 years after the forts were abandoned at the end of the conflict.

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech College near Fort Lauderdale FL

Fort Lauderdale FL vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate veterinary technician college is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about veterinary technician colleges need to make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important 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 schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Fort Lauderdale FL.