Veterinary Technician Degree Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Florence Alabama

Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Florence AL could at first feel like a daunting endeavor. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you must first search for and ultimately enroll in a school that will provide the required education and training. And so that you pick the right one you must research and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. When checking out vet tech schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes. When they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when evaluating vet technician programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make a final selection. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll explore the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Tech Training Options

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many jobs that they can carry out within the Florence AL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from 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 execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians go through more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Florence AL area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Florence AL area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Florence AL veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Florence AL veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Florence AL vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify 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 larger in size, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Florence AL colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Okay, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Florence AL home, you have to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's important that you determine if the vet schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Florence AL. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Learn More About How to Become a Veterinary Tech in Florence

Enroll in the Right Florence Vet Technologist School

Enrolling in the right veterinary technician college is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician colleges must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's very important that you select 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 provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Florence Alabama.

 

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