Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Whittemore MI

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Whittemore Michigan

Whittemore MI vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Whittemore MI might initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the right choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. After they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Whittemore MI

cat with cone after surgery in Whittemore MI Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many tasks that they can perform within the Whittemore MI veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. 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 associated with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and generally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally 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 differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved activities, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, 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 internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Some may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Whittemore MI laboratories or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Whittemore

student attending online vet tech school in Whittemore MI An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Whittemore MI veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Whittemore MI Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Whittemore MI vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you would like to attain, and if you intend 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 Whittemore MI area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician program 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 a thorough screening process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Whittemore MI area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Michigan school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Whittemore MI veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about 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 medical setting. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Whittemore MI veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Whittemore MI vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big 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 Whittemore MI programs you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Whittemore MI home, you need to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located close by or within a large city. In addition, 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 particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Whittemore MI. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Whittemore MI?

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

Whittemore, Michigan

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 384 people, 183 households, and 96 families residing in the city. The population density was 387.9 inhabitants per square mile (149.8/km2). There were 226 housing units at an average density of 228.3 per square mile (88.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.8% White, 1.3% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.3% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population.

There were 183 households of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.7% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.5% were non-families. 39.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.79.

The median age in the city was 47 years. 19% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.1% were from 25 to 44; 33.1% were from 45 to 64; and 19% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.3% male and 54.7% female.

Enroll in the Best Vet Tech Program near Whittemore MI

Whittemore MI vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician programs need to make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you choose 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 assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Whittemore MI.