Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Palm Harbor FL

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Palm Harbor Florida

Palm Harbor FL vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Palm Harbor FL could initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the right choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. After they have located some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Palm Harbor FL

cat with cone after surgery in Palm Harbor FL One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Palm Harbor FL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Palm Harbor FL laboratories or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Palm Harbor

student attending online vet tech school in Palm Harbor FL An approach that might be a solution for those with a hectic 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 timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Palm Harbor FL veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for traveling and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Palm Harbor FL Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Palm Harbor FL vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Palm Harbor FL area as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, 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 superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many Palm Harbor FL area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Florida school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Palm Harbor FL veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Palm Harbor FL veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate could suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Palm Harbor FL veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Palm Harbor FL colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we already discussed 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 Palm Harbor FL home, you need to confirm 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located close by or within a larger 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 higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Palm Harbor FL. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Palm Harbor FL?

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

Palm Harbor, Florida

Palm Harbor is located 35 km north of downtown St. Petersburg and west of Tampa. It is a largely residential community with several concentrations of commerce. Downtown Palm Harbor, north of Tampa Road between U.S. Highway 19 Alternate and Omaha Street hosts many small shops and eateries along with a handful of historic buildings.[4]U.S. Highway 19, a mile or two east of downtown, offers access to higher concentrations of commerce, with an array of national chain restaurants and retailers. One entrance to Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, a nationally regarded golf course is found on U.S. 19.

The historic downtown district of Palm Harbor, at Florida Avenue and Alt. US 19 and CR 1, has numerous festivals and craft fairs. Old Palm Harbor Main Streets, Inc., a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, hosts their signature event the first Friday of every month. "Palm Harbor's First Friday Celebrations" are a popular community event for youngsters and adults alike. There are rides and games for the children, with opportunities to dine on food from the many local restaurants, enjoy local artists and crafters displaying and selling their wares. Annually, the first Sunday in October marks when the "Taste of Palm Harbor" festival is held. The event is presented by the Palm Harbor Junior Women's Club with the proceeds benefiting their "Making a Difference" grants & scholarships program. The Taste of Palm Harbor traditionally offers live music and the tasting of samples from over 20 local restaurants, many of which make seafood their speciality.

Palm Harbor is an unincorporated part of Pinellas County. HB 183 - Town of Palm Harbor/Pinellas County,[5] from 2009, was the most recent local bill that would have scheduled a referendum allowing Palm Harbor voters the opportunity to decide if they want to incorporate, but the bill died in committee.[6] Pinellas County legislators had voted on January 22, 2009, to support a bill allowing voters in Palm Harbor to decide if they wanted their unincorporated community to become the county's 25th city. It passed over the objections of Pinellas County Commissioner Susan Latvala, who said she was appearing in both her official capacity and as a Palm Harbor resident. The Legislature would have needed to first conduct a feasibility study to make sure cityhood made fiscal sense.[7]

Choose the Right Vet Tech Program near Palm Harbor FL

Palm Harbor FL vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician colleges need to make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included 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 school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Palm Harbor FL.