Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Jacksonville FL

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Jacksonville Florida

Jacksonville FL vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Jacksonville FL may initially seem like a daunting task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. After they have found some local colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make a final decision. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Jacksonville FL

cat with cone after surgery in Jacksonville FL One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Jacksonville FL veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, 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 standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and usually earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Jacksonville

student attending online vet tech school in Jacksonville FL An approach that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Jacksonville FL veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Jacksonville FL Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Jacksonville FL vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Jacksonville FL area and across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, one of 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 demanding review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Jacksonville FL area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Florida school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Jacksonville FL vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Jacksonville FL veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Jacksonville FL veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Jacksonville FL colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Jacksonville FL home, you need to confirm that the commuting time fits into 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 school is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college 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 classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating 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 Jacksonville FL. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family issues. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Jacksonville FL?

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

Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Florida and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States.[10][11] It is the seat of Duval County,[12] with which the city government consolidated in 1968. Consolidation gave Jacksonville its great size and placed most of its metropolitan population within the city limits. With an estimated population of 892,062 as of 2017, Jacksonville is also the most populous city in the southeastern United States.[13] The Jacksonville metropolitan area has a population of 1,631,488 and is the fourth largest in Florida.[14]

Jacksonville is centered on the banks of the St. Johns River in the First Coast region of northeast Florida, about 25 miles (40 km) south of the Georgia state line and 340 miles (550 km) north of Miami. The Jacksonville Beaches communities are along the adjacent Atlantic coast. The area was originally inhabited by the Timucua people, and in 1564 was the site of the French colony of Fort Caroline, one of the earliest European settlements in what is now the continental United States. Under British rule, settlement grew at the narrow point in the river where cattle crossed, known as Wacca Pilatka to the Seminole and the Cow Ford to the British. A platted town was established there in 1822, a year after the United States gained Florida from Spain; it was named after Andrew Jackson, the first military governor of the Florida Territory and seventh President of the United States.

Harbor improvements since the late 19th century have made Jacksonville a major military and civilian deep-water port. Its riverine location facilitates Naval Station Mayport, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the U.S. Marine Corps Blount Island Command, and the Port of Jacksonville, Florida's third largest seaport.[15] Jacksonville's military bases and the nearby Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay form the third largest military presence in the United States.[16] Significant factors in the local economy include services such as banking, insurance, healthcare and logistics. As with much of Florida, tourism is also important to the Jacksonville area, particularly tourism related to golf.[17][18] People from Jacksonville may be called "Jacksonvillians" or "Jaxsons" (also spelled "Jaxons").[7][8]

Choose the Right Veterinary Technician School near Jacksonville FL

Jacksonville FL vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician program is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students looking into vet tech schools must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Jacksonville FL.