Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Atlantic Beach FL

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Atlantic Beach Florida

Atlantic Beach FL vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Atlantic Beach FL might at first feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their homes. After they have identified some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant factors when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different duties of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Atlantic Beach FL

cat with cone after surgery in Atlantic Beach FL Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if 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 devote to your education, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Atlantic Beach FL 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 typical vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and normally obtain 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 fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years. Therefore 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 career opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Atlantic Beach

student attending online vet tech school in Atlantic Beach FL An option that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Atlantic Beach FL veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. 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 manner, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Atlantic Beach FL Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Atlantic Beach FL vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Atlantic Beach FL area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned 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 example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many Atlantic Beach FL area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Florida school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Atlantic Beach FL veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Atlantic Beach FL veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate might signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus 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 high placement rate might indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Atlantic Beach FL veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly 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 sized, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Atlantic Beach FL schools you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Atlantic Beach FL home, you must make certain that the driving 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, especially if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Atlantic Beach FL. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Atlantic Beach FL?

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

Atlantic Beach, Florida

Atlantic Beach is a city in Duval County, Florida, United States and part of the Jacksonville Beaches communities. When the majority of communities in Duval County consolidated with Jacksonville in 1968, Atlantic Beach, along with Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Baldwin, remained quasi-independent. Like the other towns, it maintains its own municipal government, but its residents vote in the Jacksonville mayoral election and have representation on the Jacksonville city council. The population was 12,655 at the 2010 census.[5]

In 1900 Henry Flagler built the Mayport branch of the railroad and erected a station north of where the Adele Grage Cultural Center is currently located.[6] Soon afterwords Flagler built a large hotel called the Continental Hotel on the railroad line between Pablo Beach (Jacksonville Beach) and Mayport. The hotel was a summer resort with 250 guest rooms. There was also a dance pavilion, tennis courts and a fishing pier. In 1913 the railroad sold most of the land to the Atlantic Beach Corporation which then began paving streets, installing lights, and water and sewer lines. In that same year the Continental Hotel changed its name to the Atlantic Beach Hotel.[7] However, during World War I people were afraid to come to the coast and the Atlantic Beach Corporation went bankrupt. To make matters worse the Atlantic Beach Hotel burned down on September 20, 1919. After the war land began to sell again and settlement grew. The Town of Atlantic Beach was incorporated in 1926 and the first charter was adopted in 1929. The first town hall burned down in 1932, so a new one was built later that year. The newly established Mayport Naval Station and the construction of the Mathews Bridge led to further development of the town. The boundaries of Atlantic Beach were extended in 1987 with the annexation of Seminole Beach and again in 1996 by extending the westerly boundary to the Intracoastal Waterway.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.0 square miles (33.6 km2), of which 3.5 square miles (9.0 km2) is land and 9.5 square miles (24.6 km2) (73.07%) is water.[5]

Select the Ideal Vet Tech College near Atlantic Beach FL

Atlantic Beach FL vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech program is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet tech programs must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Atlantic Beach FL.