Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Las Cruces NM

How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Las Cruces New Mexico

Las Cruces NM vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Las Cruces NM may initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a school that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the right selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. When they have found some local colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant considerations when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the different roles of vet techs and the training options available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Las Cruces NM

cat with cone after surgery in Las Cruces NM Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish 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 devote to your education, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Las Cruces NM veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing 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 completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam 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 obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Las Cruces NM laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Las Cruces

student attending online vet tech school in Las Cruces NM An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Las Cruces NM veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for commuting and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you choose 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 complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Las Cruces NM Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Las Cruces NM vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to attain, and if you prefer 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 Las Cruces NM area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Las Cruces NM area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Mexico school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Las Cruces NM vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Las Cruces NM veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate could mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Las Cruces NM veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Las Cruces NM schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Las Cruces NM home, you must 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you find out if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Las Cruces NM. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Las Cruces NM?

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

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Las Cruces is the seat of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 97,618,[2] and in 2015 the estimated population was 101,643,[4] making it the second largest city in the state, after Albuquerque. Las Cruces is the largest city in both Doña Ana County and southern New Mexico.[5] The Las Cruces metropolitan area had an estimated population of 213,676 in 2014.[6] It is the principal city of a metropolitan statistical area which encompasses all of Doña Ana County and is part of the larger El Paso–Las Cruces combined statistical area.

Las Cruces is the economic and geographic center of the Mesilla Valley, the agricultural region on the floodplain of the Rio Grande which extends from Hatch to the west side of El Paso, Texas. Las Cruces is the home of New Mexico State University (NMSU), New Mexico's only land-grant university. The city's major employer is the federal government on nearby White Sands Test Facility and White Sands Missile Range. The Organ Mountains, 10 miles (16 km) to the east, are dominant in the city's landscape, along with the Doña Ana Mountains, Robledo Mountains, and Picacho Peak. Las Cruces lies 225 miles (362 km) south of Albuquerque, 48 miles (77 km) northwest of El Paso, Texas and 46 miles (74 km) north of the Mexican border at Santa Teresa.

Spaceport America, which has corporate offices in Las Cruces, operates from 55 miles (89 km) to the north, and has completed several successful manned, suborbital flights. The city is also the headquarters for Virgin Galactic, the world's first company to offer sub-orbital spaceflights.[7]

Choose the Right Vet Tech College near Las Cruces NM

Las Cruces NM vet tech holding dog Choosing the right veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering vet tech schools must make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Las Cruces NM.