Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Saint Petersburg FL

How to Select a Vet Tech School near Saint Petersburg Florida

Saint Petersburg FL vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Saint Petersburg FL might initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their homes. After they have located some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when comparing vet technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different duties of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Saint Petersburg FL

cat with cone after surgery in Saint Petersburg FL Among 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 decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many duties that they can perform within the Saint Petersburg FL veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed 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 vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and normally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Saint Petersburg FL laboratories or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Saint Petersburg

student attending online vet tech school in Saint Petersburg FL An approach that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided by means of 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 many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Saint Petersburg FL veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for traveling and study materials, may be lower compared to more standard 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 courses and the clinical training, everything is included 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 right option for you.

Things to Ask Saint Petersburg FL Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Saint Petersburg FL vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Saint Petersburg FL area and across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech school 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 applying for 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 college is often a requirement for employment for many Saint Petersburg FL area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with 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 specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Saint Petersburg FL vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain clinical 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 Saint Petersburg FL veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Saint Petersburg FL vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Saint Petersburg FL programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Saint Petersburg FL home, you have to confirm that the driving time fits into 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 school is located close by or within 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 state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you find out if the veterinary programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Saint Petersburg 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 offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Saint Petersburg FL?

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

St. Petersburg, Florida

St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. As of the 2015 census estimate, the population was 257,083,[3] making it the fifth-most populous city in Florida and the largest in the state that is not a county seat (the city of Clearwater is the seat of Pinellas County).[8]

St. Petersburg is the second-largest city in the Tampa Bay Area, after Tampa. Together with Clearwater, these cities comprise the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area, the second-largest in Florida with a population of around 2.8 million.[9] St. Petersburg is located on the Pinellas peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, and is connected to mainland Florida to the north.[10]

St. Petersburg was founded in 1888 by John C. Williams, who purchased the land, and by Peter Demens, who brought the railroad industry into the area.[11][12] As a part of a coin toss bet, the winner, Peter Demens, named the land after Saint Petersburg, Russia, while Williams opted to name the first hotel built which was named the Detroit Hotel, both named after their home towns respectively.[13] St. Petersburg was incorporated as a town on February 29, 1892 and re-incorporated as a city on June 6, 1903.[11][14]

Pick the Right Vet Tech College near Saint Petersburg FL

Saint Petersburg FL vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal vet tech school is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about veterinary technician programs must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Saint Petersburg FL.