Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Stillwater MN

How to Pick a Vet Tech Program near Stillwater Minnesota

Stillwater MN vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Stillwater MN could initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will provide the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their residences. After they have located some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when assessing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Stillwater MN

cat with cone after surgery in Stillwater MN Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Stillwater MN veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing 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 involved 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 pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and normally 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 veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated functions, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Stillwater MN labs or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Stillwater

student attending online vet tech school in Stillwater MN An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Stillwater MN veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified 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 manner, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Stillwater MN Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Stillwater MN vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Stillwater MN area and across the United States, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously 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 undergone a rigorous review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a precondition for employment for a number of Stillwater MN area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Minnesota school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Stillwater MN veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

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

Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Stillwater MN vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not well 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 sized, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Stillwater MN schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Stillwater MN home, you need to confirm that the driving 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, especially if the college is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online 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 find out if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Stillwater MN. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Stillwater MN?

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

Stillwater, Minnesota

Stillwater is a city in Washington County, Minnesota across the St. Croix River from the state of Wisconsin. It is the county seat. The population was 18,225 at the 2010 census.[5][6] Stillwater is part of the Twin Cities Metro Area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.98 square miles (20.67 km2); 6.96 square miles (18.03 km2) is land and 1.02 square miles (2.64 km2) is water.[1] State Highways 36, 95, and 96 are three of the community's main routes.

On July 29 and September 29, 1837, treaties were signed between the US government and the local Ojibwa and Dakota nations that allowed settlement in the St. Croix Valley. The town was founded by settlers drawn by the area's then-abundant lumber and river traffic, making it one of Minnesota's oldest towns, preceding Minneapolis by several years. Stillwater was officially incorporated as a city on March 4, 1854 (the same day as St. Paul). The city was named for the calm waters of the St. Croix River.[7]

Select the Right Veterinary Technician College near Stillwater MN

Stillwater MN vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate vet tech program is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician schools need to make their determination based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Stillwater MN.