Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Montgomery AL

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Montgomery Alabama

Montgomery AL vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Montgomery AL may at first seem like a challenging task. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a college that will furnish the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the ideal choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. Once they have identified some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant considerations when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Montgomery AL

cat with cone after surgery in Montgomery AL One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the Montgomery AL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries 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 techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Montgomery AL labs or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Montgomery

student attending online vet tech school in Montgomery AL An option that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of 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 Montgomery AL veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more standard 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 clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Montgomery AL Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Montgomery AL vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Montgomery AL area as well as across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among 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 quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Montgomery AL area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Montgomery AL veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with Montgomery AL veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Montgomery AL vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Montgomery AL colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to 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 College Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Montgomery AL home, you have to make sure 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the vet schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Montgomery AL. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Montgomery AL?

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

Montgomery, Alabama

Montgomery is the capital city of the U.S. state of Alabama and the county seat of Montgomery County.[6] Named for Richard Montgomery, it stands beside the Alabama River, on the coastal Plain of the Gulf is Mexico. In the 2010 Census, Montgomery's population was 205,764. It is the second most populous city in Alabama, after Birmingham,[7] and is the 118th most populous in the United States. The Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area's population in 2010 was estimated at 374,536; it is the fourth largest in the state and 136th among United States metropolitan areas.[8]

The city was incorporated in 1819 as a merger of two towns situated along the Alabama River. It became the state capital in 1846, representing the shift of power to the south-central area of Alabama with the growth of cotton as a commodity crop of the Black Belt and the rise of Mobile as a mercantile port on the Gulf Coast. In February 1861, Montgomery was chosen the first capital of the Confederate States of America, which it remained until the Confederate seat of government moved to Richmond, Virginia, in May of that year. In the middle of the 20th century, Montgomery was a major center of events and protests in the Civil Rights Movement,[9] including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Selma to Montgomery marches.

In addition to housing many Alabama government agencies, Montgomery has a large military presence, due to Maxwell Air Force Base; public universities Alabama State University, Troy University (Montgomery campus), and Auburn University at Montgomery; two private post-secondary institutions, Faulkner University and Huntingdon College; high-tech manufacturing, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama;[10] and many cultural attractions, such as the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.

Pick the Ideal Veterinary Technician College near Montgomery AL

Montgomery AL vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician program is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech schools must make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices 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 Montgomery AL.