Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Flint MI - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Choose a Vet Tech Program near Flint Michigan

Flint MI vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Flint MI could at first feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the best choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. When they have found some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied duties of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Flint MI

cat with cone after surgery in Flint MI Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to 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 although there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Flint MI veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, 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 technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 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 work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Flint MI labs or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Flint

student attending online vet tech school in Flint MI An option that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Flint MI veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Flint MI Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Flint MI vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Flint MI area and across the USA, you need to ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Flint MI area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Michigan school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Flint MI vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Flint MI veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Flint MI veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Flint MI colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus 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 commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Flint MI home, you need to make certain that the commuting 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 college is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Flint MI. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Flint MI?

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

Flint, Michigan

Flint is the largest city and seat of Genesee County, Michigan, United States. Located along the Flint River, 66 miles (106 km) northwest of Detroit, it is a principal city within the region known as Mid Michigan.[8][9] According to the 2010 census, Flint has a population of 102,434, making it the seventh largest city in Michigan. The Flint metropolitan area is located entirely within Genesee County. It is the fourth largest metropolitan area in Michigan with a population of 425,790 in 2010.[10] The city was incorporated in 1855.

Flint was founded as a village by fur trader Jacob Smith in 1819 and became a major lumbering area on the historic Saginaw Trail during the 19th century. From the late 19th century to the mid 20th century, the city was a leading manufacturer of carriages and later automobiles, earning it the nickname "Vehicle City". General Motors (GM) was founded in Flint in 1908, and the city grew into an automobile manufacturing powerhouse for GM's Buick and Chevrolet divisions after World War II up until the early 1980s recession. Flint was also the home of the Flint Sit-Down Strike of 1936–37 that played a vital role in the formation of the United Auto Workers.

Since the late 1960s, Flint has faced several crises. The city sank into a deep economic depression after GM significantly downsized its workforce in the area from a 1978 high of 80,000 to under 8,000 by 2010. From 1960 to 2010, the population of the city nearly halved from 196,940 to 102,434. In the mid-2000s, Flint became known for its high crime rates and has repeatedly been ranked among the most dangerous cities in the United States.[11] The city was under a state of financial emergency from 2002–2004 and again from 2011–2015.[12][13] Since 2014, the city has faced a major public health emergency due to lead contamination in the local water supply that has affected thousands of residents, as well as an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease due to tainted water.[14][15]

Pick the Right Vet Tech Program near Flint MI

Flint MI vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech programs must make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative 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 schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Flint MI.