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How to Select a Vet Tech School near Athens Louisiana

Athens LA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Athens LA could initially feel like a challenging task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have located some area schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the varied duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Athens LA

cat with cone after surgery in Athens LA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Athens LA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and generally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction 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 additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Athens LA labs or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Athens

student attending online vet tech school in Athens LA An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Athens LA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for travel and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Athens LA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Athens LA vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinary degree that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Athens LA area and across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously 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 gone through a demanding review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Athens LA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Louisiana school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Athens LA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more colleges 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 Athens LA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Athens LA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower 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 bigger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Athens LA schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Athens LA home, you have to make sure that the commuting time fits into 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, particularly if the school 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 increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Athens LA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Athens LA?

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

The School of Athens

The School of Athens (Italian: Scuola di Atene) is a fresco by the Italian Renaissance artist Raphael. It was painted between 1509 and 1511 as a part of Raphael's commission to decorate the rooms now known as the Stanze di Raffaello, in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. The Stanza della Segnatura was the first of the rooms to be decorated, and The School of Athens, representing Philosophy, was probably the third painting to be finished there, after La Disputa (Theology) on the opposite wall, and the Parnassus (Literature).[1] The picture has long been seen as "Raphael's masterpiece and the perfect embodiment of the classical spirit of the Renaissance".[2]

The School of Athens is one of a group of four main frescoes on the walls of the Stanza (those on either side centrally interrupted by windows) that depict distinct branches of knowledge. Each theme is identified above by a separate tondo containing a majestic female figure seated in the clouds, with putti bearing the phrases: "Seek Knowledge of Causes," "Divine Inspiration," "Knowledge of Things Divine" (Disputa), "To Each What Is Due." Accordingly, the figures on the walls below exemplify Philosophy, Poetry (including Music), Theology, and Law.[3] The traditional title is not Raphael's. The subject of the "School" is actually "Philosophy," or at least ancient Greek philosophy, and its overhead tondo-label, "Causarum Cognitio", tells us what kind, as it appears to echo Aristotle's emphasis on wisdom as knowing why, hence knowing the causes, in Metaphysics Book I and Physics Book II. Indeed, Plato and Aristotle appear to be the central figures in the scene. However, all the philosophers depicted sought knowledge of first causes. Many lived before Plato and Aristotle, and hardly a third were Athenians. The architecture contains Roman elements, but the general semi-circular setting having Plato and Aristotle at its centre might be alluding to Pythagoras' circumpunct.

Commentators have suggested that nearly every great ancient Greek philosopher can be found in the painting, but determining which are depicted is difficult, since Raphael made no designations outside possible likenesses, and no contemporary documents explain the painting. Compounding the problem, Raphael had to invent a system of iconography to allude to various figures for whom there were no traditional visual types. For example, while the Socrates figure is immediately recognizable from Classical busts, the alleged Epicurus is far removed from his standard type. Aside from the identities of the figures depicted, many aspects of the fresco have been variously interpreted, but few such interpretations are unanimously accepted among scholars.

Enroll in the Ideal Vet Tech School near Athens LA

Athens LA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Athens LA.