How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Cordova Alaska
Achieving your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Cordova AK might initially feel like a challenging task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the best choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have located some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important factors when assessing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make a final selection. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.
The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Cordova AK
One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Cordova AK veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialty.
- Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through 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 community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and normally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general 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 duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist 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 also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Cordova AK labs or research facilities also.
Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Cordova
An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Cordova AK veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for traveling and study supplies, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech program may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Cordova AK Vet Tech Programs
By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Cordova AK area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that confirms 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. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Cordova AK area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet 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 grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Cordova AK veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Cordova AK veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Cordova AK veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure 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. Find out from the Cordova AK programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Cordova AK home, you have to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Cordova AK. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain 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 sickness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.
Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Cordova AK?
If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Cordova Alaska area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.
Cordova, Alaska
Cordova (/kɔːrˈdoʊvə, ˈkɔːrdəvə/) is a small town located near the mouth of the Copper River in the Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Alaska, United States, at the head of Orca Inlet on the east side of Prince William Sound. The population was 2,239 at the 2010 census, down from 2,454 in 2000. Cordova was named Puerto Cordova by Spanish explorer Salvador Fidalgo in 1790. No roads connect Cordova to other Alaskan towns, so a plane or ferry is required to travel there. In the Exxon Valdez oil spill of March 1989, an oil tanker ran aground northwest of Cordova, heavily damaging ecology and fishing. It was cleaned up shortly after, but there are lingering effects, such as a lowered population of some birds.
In 1790 the inlet in front of the current Cordova townsite was named Puerto Cordova by Spanish explorer Salvador Fidalgo, after Spanish admiral Luis de Córdova y Córdova. The town of Cordova was named after it, although the inlet itself was later renamed the Orca Inlet.[5] Cordova proper was founded as a result of the discovery of high-grade copper ore at Kennecott, north of Cordova. A group of surveyors from Valdez laid out a town site and Michael James Heney purchased half the land for the terminus of the Copper River and Northwestern Railway after determining that the neighboring town of Katalla was a poor harbor.[6] Heney and his crew held a brief ceremony to organize the town on March 26, 1906. A week later crews arrived to begin work on the railroad. The first lots in the new town site, which make up the heart of present-day Cordova, were sold at auction in May 1908. As the railroad grew, so did the town. Eventually schools, businesses, a hospital, and utilities were established. After the railroad was completed Cordova became the transportation hub for the ore coming out of Kennecott. In the years 1911 to 1938, more than 200 million tons of copper ore was transported through Cordova.[6]
The area around Cordova was historically home to the Eyak, with a population of Chugach to the west, and occasional visits from Ahtna and Tlingit people for trade or battle.[7] The last full-blooded Eyak Marie Smith Jones died in 2008, but the native traditions and lifestyle still has an influence on the local culture. Cordova was also once the home of a booming razor clam industry, and between 1916 and the late 1950s it was known as the "Razor Clam Capital of the World".[8] Commercial harvest in the area was as much as 3.5 million pounds. Returns began declining in the late 1950s, presumably due to overharvesting and a large die-off in 1958. The 1964 Good Friday earthquake effectively and completely obliterated the industry; in some areas, the ground was thrust up by as much as six feet, exposing the already depleted clam beds. There has been no commercial harvest in the area since 1988 with the exception of a brief harvest in 1993.[9]
Choose the Best Vet Tech College near Cordova AK
Enrolling in the ideal vet tech program is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students thinking about vet tech colleges must make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you choose 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 provided 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 right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Cordova AK.
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