Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Silver City NM

How to Pick a Vet Tech School near Silver City New Mexico

Silver City NM vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Silver City NM could initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. When they have identified some area schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important factors when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are looking at before you make a final selection. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Silver City NM

cat with cone after surgery in Silver City NM Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many jobs that they can perform within the Silver City NM veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from 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 specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training in contrast to 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 veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently require veterinary technicians 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 obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Silver City NM laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Silver City

student attending online vet tech school in Silver City NM An option that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Silver City NM veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Silver City NM Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Silver City NM vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Silver City NM area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Silver City NM area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Mexico school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Silver City NM veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Silver City NM veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate might signify 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, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Silver City NM vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly 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 larger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Silver City NM schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Silver City NM home, you have to make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the vet colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Silver City NM. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family issues. You may 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 Silver City NM?

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

Silver City, New Mexico

Silver City is a town in Grant County, New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat[3] and the home of Western New Mexico University. As of the 2010 census the population was 10,315.[4] In 2015 the population was estimated to be 10,004.[5]

The valley that is now the site of Silver City once served as an Apache campsite. With the arrival of the Spaniards, the area became known for its copper mining. After the American Civil War, a settlement developed and became known as "La Ciénega de San Vicente" (the Oasis of St. Vincent). With a wave of American prospectors, the pace of change increased, and Silver City was founded in the summer of 1870. The founding of the town occurred shortly after the discovery of silver ore deposits at Chloride Flat, on the hill just west of the farm of Captain John M. Bullard and his brother James. Following the silver strike, Captain Bullard laid out the streets of Silver City, and a bustling tent city quickly sprang to life. Although the trajectory of Silver City's development was to be different from the hundreds of other mining boom towns established during the same period, Captain Bullard himself never lived to see even the beginnings of permanence, as he was killed in a confrontation with Apache raiders less than a year later, on February 23, 1871.

The town's violent crime rate was substantial during the 1870s. However, Grant County Sheriff Harvey Whitehill was elected in 1874, and gained a sizable reputation for his abilities at controlling trouble. In 1875, Whitehill became the first lawman to arrest Billy the Kid, known at the time under the alias of Henry Antrim. Whitehill arrested him twice, both times for theft in Silver City (Sheriff Whitehill testified to the Justice of the Peace that he believed Henry Antrim did not do the actual stealing the second time arrested, but assisted in the hiding of the property stolen by Sombrero Jack. Whitehill would later claim that the young man was a likeable kid, whose stealing was a result more of necessity than criminality. His mother is buried in the town cemetery. In 1878, the town hired its first town marshal, "Dangerous Dan" Tucker, who had been working as a deputy for Whitehill since 1875. Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch were also reported to frequent the Silver City saloons in the late 1800s.[6]

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Silver City NM

Silver City NM vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician school is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Potential students thinking about vet tech colleges must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics 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 enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Silver City NM.