Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Cannon Afb NM

How to Pick a Vet Tech Program near Cannon Afb New Mexico

Cannon Afb NM vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Cannon Afb NM may at first seem like a challenging task. After all, you must find and enroll in a school that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the best selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. When they have identified some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make a final choice. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Cannon Afb NM

cat with cone after surgery in Cannon Afb NM One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many jobs that they can perform within the Cannon Afb NM veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements 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 vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing 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 completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and normally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years. Therefore the main 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 mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Cannon Afb NM laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Cannon Afb

student attending online vet tech school in Cannon Afb NM An approach that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Cannon Afb NM veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, such as for travel and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard 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 courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Cannon Afb NM Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Cannon Afb NM vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Cannon Afb NM area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, 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 review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a precondition for employment for many Cannon Afb NM area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding 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 suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Mexico school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Cannon Afb NM veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get 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 get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs established with Cannon Afb NM veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Cannon Afb NM veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Cannon Afb NM programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Cannon Afb NM home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes 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 essential that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit 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 Cannon Afb NM. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Cannon Afb NM?

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

Cannon Air Force Base

Cannon Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Clovis, New Mexico. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The population of the Cannon AFB CDP was 2,245 as of the 2010 census. The host unit at Cannon is the 27th Special Operations Wing (27 SOW), which activated on 1 October 2007, and is assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The 27 SOW plans and executes specialized and contingency operations using advanced aircraft, tactics and air refueling techniques to infiltrate, exfiltrate and resupply special operations forces (SOF) and provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and close air support in support of SOF operations.

Cannon AFB was established in 1942 as Army Air Base, Clovis. The commander of the 27th Special Operations Wing is Colonel Tony D. Bauernfeind.[3] The Command Chief Master Sergeant is Paul J Henderson II.[4]

A variety of special operations aircraft are stationed at Cannon, including the AC-130W Stinger II, MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, CV-22 Osprey and several versions of light and medium transport aviation aircraft. The AC-130W is assigned to the 73rd Special Operations Squadron, with all twelve becoming operational in 2010.[5]

Select the Best Veterinary Technician School near Cannon Afb NM

Cannon Afb NM vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech program is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into veterinary technician programs must make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs 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 picking the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Cannon Afb NM.