Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Anniston AL - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Choose a Vet Tech Program near Anniston Alabama

Anniston AL vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Anniston AL may initially feel like a challenging task. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach analyzing and comparing colleges so that you can make the right selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their residences. When they have found some local schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important factors when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Anniston AL

cat with cone after surgery in Anniston AL Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary 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 training, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Anniston AL veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular 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 generally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may 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 Anniston AL laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Anniston

student attending online vet tech school in Anniston AL An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Anniston AL veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in 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 complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Anniston AL Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Anniston AL vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you intend 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 Anniston AL area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a precondition for employment for a number of Anniston AL area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies 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 tip, contact some Anniston AL veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Anniston AL veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Anniston AL veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify 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 sized, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Anniston AL colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Anniston AL home, you have to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Anniston AL. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Anniston AL?

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

Anniston, Alabama

Anniston is the county seat of Calhoun County in Alabama and is one of two urban centers/principal cities of and included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 23,106.[4] According to 2013 Census estimates, the city had a population of 22,666.[2]

Though the surrounding area was settled much earlier, the mineral resources in the area of Anniston were not exploited until the Civil War. The Confederate States of America then operated an iron furnace near present-day downtown Anniston, until it was finally destroyed by raiding Union cavalry in early 1865. Later, cast iron for sewer systems became the focus of Anniston's industrial output. Cast iron pipe, also called soil pipe, was popular until the advent of plastic pipe in the 1960s.[citation needed]

In 1872, the Woodstock Iron Company, organized by Samuel Noble and Union Gen. Daniel Tyler, rebuilt the furnace on a much larger scale,[6] and started a planned community named Woodstock, soon renamed "Annie's Town" for Annie Scott Tyler, Daniel's daughter and wife of railroad president Alfred L. Tyler. Anniston was chartered as a town in 1873.[7]

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Anniston AL

Anniston AL vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech school is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Anniston AL.