Home >> Alabama >> Huntsville >> Vet Tech Schools Near Me


Vet Tech Degree Programs
Receive Free Info - Huntsville AL 35613

Vet Technician Program
How to Select the Best One Near Huntsville Alabama

Huntsville Alabama dog with large ears wearing coneAchieving your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Huntsville AL may at first seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you have to find and enroll in a school that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct selection? When checking out vet tech programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes. When they have identified some area schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when assessing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll go over the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

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

Vet Tech Degree Options

Huntsville Alabama vet checking dog's blood pressure

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal determiner will most likely 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 practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can carry out within the Huntsville AL veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and training requirements for each position.

  • Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
  • Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
  • Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered

Huntsville Alabama female student enrolled in vet tech classes onlineAn approach that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Huntsville AL veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for traveling and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech program may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

Huntsville Alabama cat in carrier in veterinary clinicAt this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Huntsville AL area as well as across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. 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 undergone a thorough review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Huntsville AL area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Huntsville AL veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Huntsville AL veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate might indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Huntsville AL veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean 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 larger sized, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Huntsville AL programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Of course, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Huntsville AL home, you must make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, 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 school 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 taking online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's important that you determine if the vet colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Huntsville AL. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Vet Technician in Huntsville

Chosse the Right Huntsville Vet Technologist Program

Picking the ideal veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students considering veterinary technician schools need to make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you pick 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 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 best college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Huntsville Alabama.



 

Huntsville Vet Tech Schools | Huntsville Vet Tech Schools Online