Vet Technician Degree Program
How to Find the Right One Near Athens Alabama

Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Athens AL could initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have found some area schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll go over the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW

Vet Tech Education Options

One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many jobs that they can carry out within the Athens AL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the standard vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a formal 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 vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and typically acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Athens AL labs or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered

An alternative that might 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 training program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus 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 Athens AL veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for traveling and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. 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 program may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Athens AL area and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It's essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, 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 demanding review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Athens AL area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinarian trade school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Athens AL veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Athens AL veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Athens AL veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Athens AL programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Athens AL home, you must 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, especially if the campus is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Athens AL. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Tech in Athens

Chosse the Right Athens Vet Technologist School

Picking the right veterinary technician school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet tech programs need to make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it's very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Athens Alabama.

 

Athens Veterinary Technician Schools | Athens Online Vet Tech Programs