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How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Hollywood Florida

Hollywood FL vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Hollywood FL might at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you have to find and enroll in a college that will provide the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their homes. After they have found some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when assessing 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 main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the different duties of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Hollywood FL

cat with cone after surgery in Hollywood FL Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both 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 Hollywood FL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and normally earn 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 vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Hollywood FL laboratories or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Hollywood

student attending online vet tech school in Hollywood FL An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Hollywood FL veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Hollywood FL Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Hollywood FL vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Hollywood FL area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important 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 in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Hollywood FL area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Florida school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Hollywood FL veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Hollywood FL veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet 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 challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some 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 school has an excellent reputation within the Hollywood FL veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Hollywood FL schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Hollywood FL home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with 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 in or near a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Hollywood FL. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Hollywood FL?

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

Hollywood, Florida

Hollywood is a city in Broward County, Florida, between Fort Lauderdale and Miami.[6] The average temperature is between 68 and 83 °F (20 and 28 °C). As of July 1, 2015 Hollywood had a population of 149,728.[7] Founded in 1925, the city grew rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s, and is now the twelfth-largest city in Florida.[8] Hollywood is a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area, which was home to an estimated 6,012,331 people at the 2015 census.

Joseph Young arrived in South Florida in 1920 in search to create his own “Dream City in Florida” and named the town after Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. His vision included the beautiful beaches of the Atlantic ocean stretching westward with man made lakes, infrastructure, roads and the Intracoastal waterway. He wanted to include large parks, schools, churches, and golf courses; these were all industries and activities which were very important to Young’s life. After Young had spent millions of dollars on construction the city, he was elected as the first mayor in 1925. This new town quickly became home to northerners known as snowbirds. These snowbirds flee the north during the winter and then escape the south during the summer to avoid the harsh climates. By 1960, Hollywood contained more than 2,400 hotel units along with the construction of 12,170 single family homes. [9] Young bought up thousands of acres of land around 1920, and named his new town "Hollywood by the Sea" to distinguish it from his other real estate venture, "Hollywood in the Hills", in New York.

Young had a vision of having lakes, golf courses, a luxury beach hotel (Hollywood Beach Hotel, now Hollywood Beach Resort), country clubs, and a main street, Hollywood Boulevard.[10] After the 1926 Miami hurricane, Hollywood was severely damaged; local newspapers reported that Hollywood was second only to Miami in losses from the storm.[9] Following Young's death in 1934, the city encountered more terrific hurricanes and the stock market crashed with personal financial misfortunes.[10]

Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technician College near Hollywood FL

Hollywood FL vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Students looking into veterinary technician colleges must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Hollywood FL.