Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Springdale AR

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Springdale Arkansas

Springdale AR vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Springdale AR could initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the proper selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their residences. Once they have found some local colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when evaluating vet technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Springdale AR

cat with cone after surgery in Springdale AR One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary 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 training, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many tasks that they can carry out within the Springdale AR veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. 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 responsibilities and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most cases 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 vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years to complete. 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 work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Springdale

student attending online vet tech school in Springdale AR An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Springdale AR veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for travel and study supplies, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Springdale AR Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Springdale AR vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you prefer 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 Springdale AR area and across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you select 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 gone through an extensive screening process that ensures you will receive a superior 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. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Springdale AR area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Arkansas school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Springdale AR vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Springdale AR veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate could signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. 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 program has an excellent reputation within the Springdale AR veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify 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 bigger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Springdale AR schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Springdale AR home, you must make sure 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 near or in a larger 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 higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible 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 Springdale AR. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Springdale AR?

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

Springdale, Arkansas

Springdale is the fourth-largest city in Arkansas, United States. It is located in both Washington and Benton counties in Northwest Arkansas. Located on the Springfield Plateau deep in the Ozark Mountains, Springdale has long been an important industrial city for the region.[5] In addition to several trucking companies, the city is home to the world headquarters of Tyson Foods, the world's largest meat producing company.[6] Originally named Shiloh, the city changed its name to Springdale when applying for a post office in 1872.[5] The four-county Northwest Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area is ranked 109th in terms of population in the United States with 463,204 in 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau. The city had a population of 69,797 at the 2010 Census.[7]

Springdale has been experiencing a population boom in recent years, as indicated by a 133% growth in population between the 1990 and 2010 censuses.[5] During this period of rapid growth, the city has seen a new Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, the establishment of a Springdale campus of Northwest Arkansas Community College and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals minor league baseball team move into Arvest Ballpark. Tyson remains the city's top employer, and is visible throughout the city. Many public features bear the Tyson name, including the Randal Tyson Recreational Complex, Don Tyson Parkway, Helen Tyson Middle School, John Tyson Elementary and Don Tyson School of Innovation. Governor Mike Beebe signed an act into law recognizing Springdale as "The Poultry Capital Of The World" in 2013.[1][2]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 108.9 square miles (282 km2), of which, 108.3 square miles (280 km2) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) of it, or 0.62%, is water.[7] The city limits extend north into southern Benton County. Springdale is bordered by the cities of Cave Springs, Lowell, and Bethel Heights to the north, by Elm Springs and Tontitown to the west, and by Johnson and Fayetteville to the south.

Choose the Ideal Vet Tech Program near Springdale AR

Springdale AR vet tech holding dog Picking the right vet tech program is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering veterinary technician schools must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Springdale AR.