Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Memphis MO - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Pick a Vet Tech School near Memphis Missouri

Memphis MO vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Memphis MO may at first seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need 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 contrasting schools so that you can make the right choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. After they have located some area colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when evaluating vet tech programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make a final selection. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Memphis MO

cat with cone after surgery in Memphis MO One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many tasks that they can perform within the Memphis MO veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, 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 techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex activities, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Memphis MO laboratories or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Memphis

student attending online vet tech school in Memphis MO An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Memphis MO veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, such as for traveling and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Memphis MO Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Memphis MO vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Memphis MO area as well as across the USA, you should ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a college 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 veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier 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 screening process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Memphis MO area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references 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 Missouri school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Memphis MO veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Memphis MO veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate may suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Memphis MO veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Memphis MO colleges you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Memphis MO home, you have to confirm 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, especially if the campus is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Memphis MO. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Memphis MO?

If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Memphis Missouri area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.

Memphis, Missouri

Memphis is a city in Scotland County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,822 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Scotland County.[6] Memphis is located adjacent to U.S. Highway 136, east of Lancaster and west of Kahoka.

Although Scotland County was organized by an act of the Missouri General Assembly on January 29, 1841 the town of Memphis did not come to be until more than two years later. County commissioners met at Sand Hill on May 15, 1843 to select the county seat. A spot near the geographical center of the county was chosen, and after some debate, was named Memphis,[7] after the ancient city of Memphis, Egypt.[8] The name had been previously used by a U.S. Post Office that operated on the North Fabius River a short distance away. The land for the town, about fifty acres, was donated to the county by early settler Samuel Cecil. After being laid out in town lots, the original plat of Memphis was filed with county court on October 11, 1843.[7] However, a few homes already existed on the site and had for several years, the first being a log cabin constructed in 1835 by Burton Tompkins.

Scotland County's first courthouse, a two-story brick structure, was completed in June, 1845 at a cost of $1,500.[9] However, just a decade later the building was declared unsafe by the county court and a second, larger courthouse was constructed in the middle of the town square in 1856 at a cost of $19,500. The second building served the county well until the turn of the 20th century, but at just forty feet by seventy feet it was becoming increasingly cramped. It was condemned in May, 1905 and razed in early 1907.[9] The current Scotland County courthouse was constructed between October, 1907 and July, 1908 at a cost of $50,000.

Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Memphis MO

Memphis MO vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students considering vet tech programs need to make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for 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 options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Memphis MO.