Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Glen Arbor MI

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Glen Arbor Michigan

Glen Arbor MI vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Glen Arbor MI may initially seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the best choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. Once they have located some local colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when assessing vet technician programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Glen Arbor MI

cat with cone after surgery in Glen Arbor MI Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Glen Arbor MI veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern 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 veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive 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 sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Glen Arbor MI laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Glen Arbor

student attending online vet tech school in Glen Arbor MI An option that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Glen Arbor MI veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for instance for travel and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses 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 ideal option for you.

What to Ask Glen Arbor MI Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Glen Arbor MI vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Glen Arbor MI area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Glen Arbor MI area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet 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 grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Glen Arbor MI vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Glen Arbor MI veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all 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 relationships in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Glen Arbor MI vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Glen Arbor MI colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Glen Arbor MI home, you need to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Glen Arbor MI. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may 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 Glen Arbor MI?

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

Glen Arbor Township, Michigan

Glen Arbor Township is a civil township of Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 859 at the 2010 census. However, the population of the town expands rapidly during the summer months as a result of it being a summer colony.

John LaRue moved from South Manitou Island to the area of the Sleeping Bear Bay that would eventually become the town in 1848. After establishing a trading post, subsequent settlers began to move to the area with one, Mrs. John E. Fisher, giving the town the name "Glen Arbor" in 1854. Other prominent settlers were John Dorsey, who set up a cooper shop, and C.C. McCarty, who built the Sleeping Bear Inn, originally as a residence for lumbermen. Additionally, George Ray built a dock in 1856 and became the settlement’s first postmaster and W. D. Burdick established a sawmill and grist mill nearby in 1864. In 1878, D. H. Day, a land developer and agent for the Northern Transportation Company, took interest in Glen Arbor. Day serves as the namesake for the historic barn that sits opposite of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

The town's economy was largely based around the lumber industry in the mid 19th century. Wood became the first commodity of Leelanau County as it was used for constructing houses and for fueling the steamers that traversed the Great Lakes. The increase of maritime traffic and the constant threat of shipwrecks along the Manitou Strait led the U.S. Life-Saving Service to establish a small boat station at Sleeping Bear Point in 1901. In 1931, the U.S. Coast Guard moved the facility eastward to its present location near Glen Haven, then closed it in 1944. The station is now a maritime museum that is run by the National Park Service.[4]

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Glen Arbor MI

Glen Arbor MI vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Students looking into veterinary technician colleges must make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals as 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 profession. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Glen Arbor MI.