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Vet Technician Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Montgomery Alabama

Montgomery Alabama dog with large ears with cone on headAchieving your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Montgomery AL might initially seem like a challenging endeavor. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you need to first search for and finally enroll in a program that will provide the required training and education. And so that you pick the right one you must evaluate and compare all of the schools you are considering. When looking for vet tech programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes. Once they have found some area schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make a final choice. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll go over the various duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Technician Training Options

Montgomery Alabama veterinarian checking dog's blood pressure

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Montgomery AL veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each position.

  • Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern 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 vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
  • Vet Technicians get more advanced training in contrast to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
  • Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Available

Montgomery Alabama woman taking vet tech classes onlineAn approach that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Montgomery AL veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for example for traveling and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

Montgomery Alabama cat in carrier in vet clinicAt this point you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you want 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, vocational and trade schools in the Montgomery AL area and across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose 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 vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, 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 thorough review process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Montgomery AL area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet 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 infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Montgomery AL veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Montgomery AL veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Montgomery AL veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could 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, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Montgomery AL colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Montgomery AL home, you must confirm 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 enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Montgomery AL. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Montgomery

Enroll in the Best Montgomery Vet Technologist School

Enrolling in the right vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into vet tech programs need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it's imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Montgomery Alabama.



 

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