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How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near Lansing Michigan

Lansing MI vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Lansing MI might at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about assessing and contrasting schools so that you can make the best choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. After they have located some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when assessing vet technician programs, they are not 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 should be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Lansing MI

cat with cone after surgery in Lansing MI Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Lansing MI veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases 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 community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Lansing

student attending online vet tech school in Lansing MI An option that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Lansing MI veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, such as for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech program may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Lansing MI Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Lansing MI vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Lansing MI area as well as across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among 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 obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for many Lansing MI area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Michigan school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Lansing MI vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Lansing MI veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Lansing MI vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean 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 bigger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Lansing MI colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Lansing MI home, you need to make sure that the driving 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 near a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Lansing MI. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lansing MI?

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

Lansing, Michigan

Lansing /ˈlænsɪŋ/ is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2010 Census placed the city's population at 114,297,[7] making it the fifth largest city in Michigan. The population of its Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) was 464,036, while the even larger Combined Statistical Area (CSA) population, which includes Shiawassee County, was 534,684. It was named the new state capital of Michigan in 1847, ten years after Michigan became a state.

The Lansing Metropolitan Area, colloquially referred to as "Mid-Michigan", is an important center for educational, cultural, governmental, commercial, and industrial functions. The area is home to two medical schools, one veterinary school, two nursing schools, and two law schools – Michigan State University College of Law and Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. It is the site of the Michigan State Capitol, the state Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, a federal court, the Library of Michigan and Historical Center, and headquarters of four national insurance companies.

Lansing is the only U.S. state capital (among the 47 located in counties) that is not also a county seat. The seat of government of Ingham County is Mason,[8] but the county maintains some offices in Lansing.[9]

Select the Right Vet Tech School near Lansing MI

Lansing MI vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for animals. Students considering vet tech schools need to make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you pick 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 included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lansing MI.