Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Land O Lakes FL

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Land O Lakes Florida

Land O Lakes FL vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Land O Lakes FL might initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. After they have identified some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different duties of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Land O Lakes FL

cat with cone after surgery in Land O Lakes FL Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous tasks that they can carry out within the Land O Lakes FL veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the standard vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a structured 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 performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Land O Lakes FL laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Land O Lakes

student attending online vet tech school in Land O Lakes FL An alternative that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Because 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 slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Land O Lakes FL veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for commuting and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain 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 complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Land O Lakes FL Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Land O Lakes FL vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Land O Lakes FL area and across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Land O Lakes FL area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. 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 pointers include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Florida school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Land O Lakes FL veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Land O Lakes FL veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate may indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Land O Lakes FL vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean 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 bigger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Land O Lakes FL colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Land O Lakes FL home, you must make sure that the commuting time fits into 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 larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college 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, attending online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Land O Lakes FL. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Land O Lakes FL?

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

Land O' Lakes, Florida

As of the 2010 census, the CDP population was 31,145.[4] The CDP grew rapidly during the 1990s, growing from 7,800 residents to 20,971 as new housing developments were built. Average annual income is higher than the rest of Florida.[1] The CDP had a population in 2007 of 30,400 residents.[5] The name Land O' Lakes was suggested at a community meeting in 1949. On Sept. 1, 1950, the Ehren post office was renamed Land O' Lakes.

Land O' Lakes has been growing very rapidly in the past 10 to 20 years. Nearby former towns have been absorbed into Land O' Lakes such as Denham, Ehren, and Gowers Corner. New neighborhoods, shopping, and schools have been built. It is also a member of the Pasco County Library Cooperative with a library branch, the Land O' Lakes Branch Library, at 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O' Lakes, Florida 34639.

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 31,145 people, 11,230 households, and 8,286 families residing in the CDP.[7] The population density was 1,126.5 people per square mile (434.9/km²). There were 8,257 housing units at an average density of 443.6/sq mi (171.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.9% White, 6.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.7% of the population.[8] The subdivision of Carpenter's Run was used for filming the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands.[9]

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Land O Lakes FL

Land O Lakes FL vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech school is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students considering veterinary technician programs must make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients 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 field. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Land O Lakes FL.