Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Lake Wales FL

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Lake Wales Florida

Lake Wales FL vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Lake Wales FL may initially feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to search for 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 reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. After they have identified some area schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at before you make a final choice. 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 alternatives offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Lake Wales FL

cat with cone after surgery in Lake Wales FL Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Lake Wales FL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade school or community college. 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 complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably 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 veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Lake Wales FL labs or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Lake Wales

student attending online vet tech school in Lake Wales FL An option that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Lake Wales FL veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for commuting and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Lake Wales FL Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Lake Wales FL vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Lake Wales FL area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech school 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). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Lake Wales FL area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Florida school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Lake Wales FL vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Lake Wales FL veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate might signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were unhappy 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 signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Lake Wales FL veterinarian community and has a substantial 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, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lake Wales FL programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Lake Wales FL home, you have to make sure 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 college is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinary programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Lake Wales FL. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lake Wales FL?

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

Lake Wales, Florida

Lake Wales is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 14,225 at the 2010 census. As of 2014[update], the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 15,140. It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area. Lake Wales is located in central Florida, west of Lake Kissimmee and east of Tampa.

The city of Lake Wales was established near the lake in 1911–12, planned by the Lake Wales Land Company.[6] The spelling Wales was used for the city, although the lake is still generally spelled Lake Wailes. Allen Carleton Nydegger, a Civil Engineer, was contracted by the Lake Wales Land Company to plot out the community of Lake Wales. He and his crew camped on the shores of Crystal Lake and spent months plotting out the new community. In 1925 the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad built a new line from Haines City joining lines to Everglades City. A depot was opened on this line at Lake Wales. The City of Lake Wales was officially incorporated in April 1917.[7]

In 2004, Lake Wales endured the effects of three hurricanes which came through the area: Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Jeanne. The three hurricanes brought hurricane-force winds to the Lake Wales area within a space of 44 days. In 2017, Hurricane Irma brought more hurricane-force winds to Lake Wales.

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech School near Lake Wales FL

Lake Wales FL vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate vet tech school is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet tech schools must make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Lake Wales FL.