How to Choose a Veterinary Assistant School near Athens Alabama
Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary program near Athens AL may at first feel like a daunting task. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the right selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. After they have identified some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the different roles of vet assistants and techs and the training options available.
The Function of a Vet Technician and Assistant
Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many functions that they can perform within the Athens AL veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements 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 completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school near Athens AL. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
- Vet Technicians get more advanced 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 fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years to complete. So the main 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 options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Athens AL area research facilities also.
Online Veterinarian Schools
An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Athens AL veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, such as for commuting and study materials, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet technician or assistant program may be the perfect choice for you.
Things to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Degree Programs
At this point you should have selected which veterinary certificate or degree that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Alabama and across the United States, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the Athens AL vet assistant and technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the vet assistant or technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, 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 a thorough screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Athens AL veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Athens AL veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with area veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local Athens AL veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician or assistant school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate could indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study 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 indicate that the Athens AL program has an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Athens AL programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet technician classes from home or work, you must make certain 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 Athens AL college is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the Alabama vet programs you are looking at 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. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available near Athens AL before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Vet Tech?
When preparing to interview for a veterinary job, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask veterinary candidates is "What made you pick veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being a vet tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to veterinary care, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must prepare some approaches about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an exceptional vet tech and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.Select the Right Veterinary Tech School near Athens AL
Picking the ideal vet assistant or tech school is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech or assistant colleges need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Vet assistants, techs and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, tech or technologist in Athens AL.
A Little Bit About Athens AL
Athens, Alabama
Athens is a city in Limestone County, in the State of Alabama. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 21,897. The city is the county seat of Limestone County and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area.
Founded in 1818 by John Coffee, Robert Beaty, John D. Carroll, and John Read, Athens is one of the oldest incorporated cities in the State of Alabama, having been incorporated one year prior to the state's admittance to the Union in 1819. Limestone County was also created by an act of the Alabama Territorial Legislature in 1818.[2][8] The town was first called Athenson, but was incorporated as Athens after the ancient city in Greece. The town's first mayor was Samuel Tanner, and the Tanner area, south of Athens, was named on his behalf.[9]
The Athens area was the home of William Wyatt Bibb, the first Governor of Alabama, and its second Governor, his brother Thomas Bibb, who succeeded him in office when he died in a fall from his horse.[10]
More Cities of Interest in Alabama