Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Blountsville AL

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Blountsville Alabama

Blountsville AL vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Blountsville AL may initially seem like a daunting task. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the correct choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have located some local schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important factors when evaluating vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Blountsville AL

cat with cone after surgery in Blountsville AL Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many tasks that they can perform within the Blountsville AL veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical veterinarian practice, for example 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 most cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably 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 vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more involved duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Blountsville AL laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Blountsville

student attending online vet tech school in Blountsville AL An option that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Blountsville AL veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for commuting and study materials, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you enroll in 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 comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech program may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Blountsville AL Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Blountsville AL vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Blountsville AL area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. 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 reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Blountsville AL area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin 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 agencies as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Blountsville AL veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs established with Blountsville AL veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Blountsville AL veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Blountsville AL schools 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 instructors. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Blountsville AL home, you need to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in 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 taking classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the vet schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Blountsville AL. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family issues. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Blountsville AL?

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

Blountsville, Alabama

Blount County was created by the Alabama territorial legislature on February 6, 1818, from land ceded to the federal government by the Creek Nation on August 9, 1814. It was named for Gov. Willie G. Blount of Tennessee, who provided assistance to settlers in Alabama during the Creek War of 1813-14. It lies in the northeastern section of the state, generally known as the mineral region.

What became Blountsville appears on an 1819 map as the mixed Creek/Cherokee Native American village of "Wassausey" (meaning Bear Meat Cabin, the name of an Indian translator who lived there). The town was established by Caleb Fryley and Johnny Jones in 1816[4] as Bear Meat Cabin. The post office was opened as Blountsville on October 20, 1825, and incorporated on December 13, 1827.[4] It was the county seat until 1889[4] when the government was moved to Oneonta.

There were many schools in the town in the early years: The Academy, Blount College and the District Agricultural School, plus the public schools. The Blount County Courthouse and jail was built in 1833[4] and remained there until it was moved to Oneonta. A major crossroads in early Alabama, Blountsville became a Confederate depot for the cavalry. Confederate forces led by General Nathan Bedford Forrest and Union forces led by General Abel Streight skirmished briefly in the town on May 1, 1863,[4] and Major General Lovell H. Rousseau and his Union cavalry occupied the town in July 1864.[4] Blount College was in the building that was originally the courthouse. It was established in 1890.[4] The beautiful Blountsville United Methodist Church was established in 1818 and is the oldest building in Blountsville and is still in use today. Another old building in Blountsville was once known as the Barclift House. Built in 1834 as Hendricks Tavern, it is now owned and is being restored by the Ortiz family.

Pick the Right Vet Tech College near Blountsville AL

Blountsville AL vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech programs need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and assist 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 profession. This goes for vet tech online schools 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 choice. And by selecting the ideal college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Blountsville AL.