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Veterinary Technician Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Phenix City Alabama

Phenix City Alabama dog with large ears wearing coneChoosing a veterinary technician school near Phenix City AL to fulfill your passionate goal to help and care for our pets may from the start feel like an enormous challenge. But to be successful as a practicing veterinary technician, you must first search for and finally enroll in a program that will provide the required training and education. And so that you pick the best one you must evaluate and compare all of the schools you are considering. When checking out vet tech programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest 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 cost are important concerns when assessing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered as well. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you must complete your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the programs you are reviewing. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll go over the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Technician Training Options

Phenix City Alabama vet checking dog's blood pressure

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Phenix City AL veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

  • Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. 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 involved with more complex activities, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
  • Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years. So the only real 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, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Phenix City AL labs or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Available

Phenix City Alabama female student enrolled in vet tech courses onlineAn alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Phenix City AL veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

Phenix City Alabama cat in portable kennel in veterinary hospitalBy now you should have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Phenix City AL area and across the USA, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for many Phenix City AL area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Phenix City AL veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Phenix City AL veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate may suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Phenix City AL veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Phenix City AL colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Phenix City AL home, you must confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Phenix City AL. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Tech in Phenix City

Enroll in the Right Phenix City Veterinary Technologist School

Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech program is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Phenix City Alabama.



 

Phenix City Veterinary Technician Schools | Phenix City Online Vet Tech Programs