Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Traverse City MI

How to Find the Right Vet Tech School near Traverse City Michigan

Traverse City MI vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Traverse City MI might at first feel like a daunting task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have identified some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when comparing vet technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs 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 explore the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Traverse City MI

cat with cone after surgery in Traverse City MI One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can carry out within the Traverse City MI veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances 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 technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and normally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Traverse City

student attending online vet tech school in Traverse City MI An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Traverse City MI veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure 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 included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Traverse City MI Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Traverse City MI vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Traverse City MI area and across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Traverse City MI area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Michigan school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Traverse City MI veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Traverse City MI veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Traverse City MI veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Traverse City MI colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Traverse City MI home, you need to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, 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 large city. Also, if you do decide to attend 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. Of course taking classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Traverse City MI. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Traverse City MI?

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

Traverse City, Michigan

Traverse City (/ˈtrævərs ˈsɪti/ or locally /ˈtrævər.sɪti/) is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Grand Traverse County,[6] although a small portion extends into Leelanau County. It is the largest city in the 21-county Northern Michigan region. The population was 14,674 at the 2010 census, with 143,372 in the Traverse City micropolitan area.

The Traverse City area is the largest producer of tart cherries in the United States.[7] Near the time of cherry harvest, the city hosts the annual week-long National Cherry Festival in the first full week of July, attracting approximately 500,000 visitors annually.[8] The surrounding countryside also produces grapes, and is one of the centers of wine production in the Midwest.[9]Tourism, both summer and winter, is another key industry. The Traverse City area features varied natural attractions, including freshwater beaches, vineyards, a National Lakeshore, downhill skiing areas, and numerous forests.[10] In 2009, TripAdvisor named Traverse City the number two small town travel destination in the United States.[11] In 2012, the city was listed among the 10 best places to retire in the country by U.S. News & World Report.[12]

Before European colonists and the Northwest Territory, Traverse City was occupied by the Ojibwe and Ottawa people. Many locations in the Michigan area used to have native names. Traverse City was called "wequetong" which means "at the head of the bay" This area was an Indian camp near what is now Clinch Park in downtown Traverse City. Over time, this camp was slowly abandoned.[13]

Select the Ideal Vet Tech College near Traverse City MI

Traverse City MI vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate veterinary technician school is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision 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 support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Traverse City MI.