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Veterinary Technician College
How to Select the Right One Near Auburn Alabama

Auburn Alabama dog with large ears with cone on headChoosing a veterinary technician school near Auburn AL to achieve your heartfelt desire to work with and provide medical treatment for animals may initially feel like an enormous task. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the right choice? When checking out vet tech schools, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes. After they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when assessing vet tech schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The main point is that before making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the programs you are assessing. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll talk about the different roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

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

Vet Technician Training Options

Auburn Alabama vet checking dog's blood pressure

One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Auburn AL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each position.

  • Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
  • Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and typically acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
  • Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Auburn AL laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Available

Auburn Alabama female student taking vet tech courses onlineAn alternative that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training 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 various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Auburn AL veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech program may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

Auburn Alabama cat in carrier in vet clinicBy now you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Auburn AL area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, 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 verifies 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 offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Auburn AL area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The vet college or vocational school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Auburn AL veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Auburn AL veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Auburn AL veterinary community and has a substantial 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 placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Auburn AL schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Auburn AL home, you must make certain that the commuting 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 school is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school 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 may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough 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 Auburn AL. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Technician in Auburn

Chosse the Best Auburn Veterinary Technologist Program

Selecting the appropriate vet tech college is an important first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech programs must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Auburn Alabama.



 

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