Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Olive Branch MS

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Olive Branch Mississippi

Olive Branch MS vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Olive Branch MS could at first feel like a challenging task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. When they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Olive Branch MS

cat with cone after surgery in Olive Branch MS One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you want 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 devote to your education, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the Olive Branch MS veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical veterinarian practice, such as 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 the majority of instances will have undergone 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 veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and normally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. 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 career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Olive Branch MS laboratories or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Olive Branch

student attending online vet tech school in Olive Branch MS An option that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Olive Branch MS veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for example for traveling and study materials, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical 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 school may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Olive Branch MS Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Olive Branch MS vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Olive Branch MS area as well as across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree 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 considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for a number of Olive Branch MS area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Mississippi school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Olive Branch MS veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Olive Branch MS veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate might signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Olive Branch MS veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Olive Branch MS programs you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning 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 previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Olive Branch MS home, you need to confirm 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, especially if the campus is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Olive Branch MS. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family issues. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Olive Branch MS?

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

Olive Branch, Mississippi

Olive Branch is a city in DeSoto County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 33,484 at the 2010 census,[2] up from 21,054 in 2000. Olive Branch is part of the Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area, a region that consists of three counties in southwest Tennessee, five counties in northwest Mississippi, and two counties in eastern Arkansas. From 1990 to 2010 Olive Branch was the fastest growing city in the United States, with a growth rate of 838%.[3] Along with other rapidly growing suburbs in DeSoto County, Olive Branch attributes most of its growth and development to the exodus of large numbers of middle-class families from central Memphis.

The first permanent Anglo settlers in the area were Stephen Flinn and his wife's brother-in-law, Milton Blocker. On April 13, 1836, they purchased 1,280 acres (5.2 km2) of land – known as Sections 34 and 35 – in newly created DeSoto County from Chickasaw chief Lush-Pun-Tubby for $1,600.[4][5] Flinn conveyed the land to Blocker for $6,400 in 1840. A small community initially known as "Cowpens" sprang up in the early 1840s. The name was changed to "Watson's Crossroads" in 1842. In 1846, when a post office was established, the name was changed again to "Olive Branch". Mrs. Frances Wilson Blocker, a descendant of one of the community's founders, suggested the name as a way to symbolize the biblical story of a dove bringing a branch to Noah. With the exception of a few skirmishes occurring in an area southwest of the community, Olive Branch escaped much of the destruction and violence during the Civil War.[4][5]

Olive Branch was incorporated as a town on May 1, 1874. Ben Wesson was elected as the first mayor.[6] At the first census conducted after incorporation in 1880, the population was 73. A railroad line was built through Olive Branch in 1885, connecting the town to Memphis and Birmingham. The town was officially designated a village on March 6, 1888.[4]

Select the Right Vet Tech College near Olive Branch MS

Olive Branch MS vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right veterinary technician college is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. 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 covered, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Olive Branch MS.