Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Auburn Hills MI

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech School near Auburn Hills Michigan

Auburn Hills MI vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Auburn Hills MI may at first seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the right selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. When they have identified some area colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate selection. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the various duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Auburn Hills MI

cat with cone after surgery in Auburn Hills MI Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the Auburn Hills MI veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex activities, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and normally earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher 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 registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Auburn Hills MI labs or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Auburn Hills

student attending online vet tech school in Auburn Hills MI An alternative 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 via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Auburn Hills MI veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Auburn Hills MI Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Auburn Hills MI vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like 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, technical and vocational schools in the Auburn Hills MI area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, one of the most highly regarded 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 get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Auburn Hills MI area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Michigan school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Auburn Hills MI vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Auburn Hills MI veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate might indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the Auburn Hills MI veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Auburn Hills MI colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Auburn Hills MI home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary 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 at night near Auburn Hills MI. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Auburn Hills MI?

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

Auburn Hills, Michigan

Auburn Hills (formerly Pontiac Township) is a city in Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 21,412 at the 2010 census.[9] It is home to the U.S. headquarters of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, The Palace of Auburn Hills (former home of the Detroit Pistons and several other teams), and Oakland University.

In 1908, automobile pioneer John Dodge bought a farmhouse 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of Auburn Heights to use as his country retreat. His oldest child, Winifred Dodge, married real estate baron Wesson Seyburn, who built his own country retreat 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north of Auburn Heights. The estate included hunting land, dog kennels, a swimming pool, horse stables, and a 5,000-square-foot (460 m2) Colonial Revival house. Pontiac Township purchased the estate in 1976, and adapted the buildings for government use. Today, it is known as the Auburn Hills Civic Center.

The first use of the name "Auburn Hills," in 1964, was by Oakland Community College. They named their campus (a former Nike missile base) at Featherstone and Squirrel roads for the town and the hilly terrain in the area. Besides Oakland Community College, three other colleges, Oakland University, Baker College, and Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School have campuses partially within the city limits.

Choose the Right Veterinary Technician School near Auburn Hills MI

Auburn Hills MI vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal vet tech school is an important first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech schools need to make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Auburn Hills MI.