Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Eielson Afb AK

How to Select a Vet Tech School near Eielson Afb Alaska

Eielson Afb AK vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Eielson Afb AK could initially feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must locate and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. Once they have located some local colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when comparing vet technician programs, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Eielson Afb AK

cat with cone after surgery in Eielson Afb AK Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many tasks that they can perform within the Eielson Afb AK veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade 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 activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and typically acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. Therefore 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 required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Eielson Afb

student attending online vet tech school in Eielson Afb AK An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Eielson Afb AK veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for commuting and study supplies, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Eielson Afb AK Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Eielson Afb AK vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Eielson Afb AK area and across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Eielson Afb AK area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Alaska school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Eielson Afb AK veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Eielson Afb AK veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Eielson Afb AK veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Eielson Afb AK colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Eielson Afb AK home, you need to make certain that the driving time fits into 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, especially if the college is located in or near a large 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 costs particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Eielson Afb AK. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family issues. You may find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Eielson Afb AK?

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

Eielson Air Force Base

Eielson Air Force Base (AFB) (IATA: EIL, ICAO: PAEI, FAA LID: EIL) is a United States Air Force base located approximately 26 miles (42 km) southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska and just southeast of Moose Creek, Alaska. It was established in 1943 as Mile 26 Satellite Field and taken off deployment in 2007. It has been a Superfund site since 1989.

Its host unit is the 354th Fighter Wing (354 FW) assigned to the Eleventh Air Force of the Pacific Air Forces. The 354 FW's primary mission is to support Red Flag – Alaska, a series of Pacific Air Forces commander–directed field training exercises for U.S. Forces, joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close-air support, and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. These exercises are conducted on the Joint Pacific Alaskan Range complex with air operations flown out of the two bases.

Eielson AFB was named in honor of polar pilot Carl Ben Eielson.[3] The 354 FW is currently commanded by Col. Benjamin W. Bishop.[4][5] Bishop is a Command Pilot with more than 2,500 flight hours, including over 340 combat hours. He's flown the T-37, T-38, F-15E, F-35A, and F-16 C/D aircraft.[6] He is responsible for providing realistic combat adversary training to United States and allied forces in air, space, and information operations via RED FLAG-Alaska, Pacific Air Forces’ premier multinational large-force training exercise, and through PACAF's only Aggressor Squadron. He also directs the preparation and deployment of Airmen in support of global operations, enables the staging of forces through Eielson, and integrates air component capabilities into the US Army's I Corps through the 1st Air Support Operations Group. Additionally, Colonel Bishop is overseeing preparations for the arrival of the F-35A Lightning II aircraft at Eielson Air Force Base.

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Eielson Afb AK

Eielson Afb AK vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech college is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet tech programs need to make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. 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 narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Eielson Afb AK.