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Vet Technician Training Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Opelika Alabama

Opelika Alabama dog with big ears with cone on headFulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Opelika AL may at first feel like an overwhelming undertaking. 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 training and education. But just how do you tackle reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper selection? When checking out vet tech schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes. After they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important factors when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered as well. The bottom line is that before making a selection, you need to finish your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the schools you are reviewing. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll talk about the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

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Vet Tech Training Options

Opelika Alabama veterinarian monitoring dog's blood pressure

One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Opelika AL veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

  • Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
  • Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and generally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved activities, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically 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 job opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered

Opelika Alabama woman taking vet tech classes onlineAn approach that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several 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 Opelika AL veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for traveling and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

Opelika Alabama cat in portable kennel in vet clinicBy now you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Opelika AL area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree 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 School Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many Opelika AL area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinarian college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Opelika AL veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Opelika AL veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate could mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Opelika AL veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Opelika AL colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Opelika AL home, you need to make sure that the driving 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, particularly if the campus is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Opelika AL. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your active life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Technologist in Opelika

Chosse the Right Opelika Vet Technologist Program

Picking the ideal veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students looking into veterinary technician programs need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to 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 decision. And by picking the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Opelika Alabama.



 

Opelika Veterinary Technician Schools | Opelika Online Vet Tech Programs