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How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near Prentiss Mississippi

Prentiss MS vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Prentiss MS might at first seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you have to find and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their homes. Once they have located some local schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important factors when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are looking at before you make a final selection. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the different roles of vet techs and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Prentiss MS

cat with cone after surgery in Prentiss MS Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal 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 supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many duties that they can carry out within the Prentiss MS veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Prentiss MS labs or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Prentiss

student attending online vet tech school in Prentiss MS An approach that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Prentiss MS veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, such as for traveling and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified 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 vet tech program may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Prentiss MS Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Prentiss MS vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Prentiss MS area and across the United States, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Prentiss MS area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Mississippi school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Prentiss MS veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Prentiss MS veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Prentiss MS veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Prentiss MS colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to 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 College Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Prentiss MS home, you have to make certain that the commuting time fits into 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 large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online 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 imperative that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Prentiss MS. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Prentiss MS?

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

Prentiss, Mississippi

A depot was established in Blountville when the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Railroad (later Illinois Central Railroad) was completed in 1903. That same year the town was officially established and named "Prentiss", possibly after Seargent Smith Prentiss, a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives and U.S. Representative from Mississippi, or after Prentiss Webb Berry, a prominent landowner in the area. When Jefferson Davis County was created in 1906, a special election determined that Prentiss would serve as the county seat.[4][6][7]

In 1907, Jonas Edward Johnson and his wife Bertha LaBranche Johnson established the Prentiss Institute. Situated on 40 acres (16 ha) of land, with remnants of slave quarters on the property, it was considered one of the finest schools for African Americans in Mississippi. The school at first taught only the elementary grades, and began with 40 students whose tuition was often paid with chickens, eggs and produce. A Rosenwald classroom was built on the campus in 1926, and by 1953 the "Prentiss Normal and Industrial Institute" included a high school and junior college, had 44 faculty and more than 700 students, and included 24 buildings and 400 acres (160 ha) of farmland, pasture and forest. In 1955, Heifer International donated 15 pure-bred cows to the school with the intention that the offspring be donated to needy farm families. It is noteworthy that the school gave some of the animals to poor white families. The school closed in 1989 and was designated an official Mississippi landmark in 2002.[8][9]

Prentiss is located in central Jefferson Davis County at 31°35′49″N 89°52′11″W / 31.596990°N 89.869776°W / 31.596990; -89.869776.[12]U.S. Route 84 passes north and west of the town center on a bypass; the four-lane highway leads east 20 miles (32 km) to Collins and west 16 miles (26 km) to Monticello. Mississippi Highway 13 passes through the town slightly east of the center; it leads north 27 miles (43 km) to Mendenhall and south 26 miles (42 km) to Columbia. Mississippi Highway 42 leads southeast from Prentiss 11 miles (18 km) to Bassfield.

Enroll in the Right Veterinary Technician School near Prentiss MS

Prentiss MS vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about veterinary technician colleges must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Prentiss MS.