Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Brierfield AL

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near Brierfield Alabama

Brierfield AL vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Brierfield AL might at first seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the best selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. After they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when comparing vet technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the different roles of vet techs and the training options available.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Brierfield AL

cat with cone after surgery in Brierfield AL Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many duties that they can perform within the Brierfield AL 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 technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and normally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent 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 included in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So 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 career options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Brierfield AL laboratories or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Brierfield

student attending online vet tech school in Brierfield AL An alternative that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Brierfield AL veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, such as for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Brierfield AL Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Brierfield AL vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Brierfield AL area as well as across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier 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 undergone an extensive screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of 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 Brierfield AL area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Brierfield AL veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs established with Brierfield AL veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding 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 programs you are reviewing. A lower rate might signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Brierfield AL veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Brierfield AL programs you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Brierfield AL home, you have to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may 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 determine if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Brierfield AL. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Brierfield AL?

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

Brierfield Furnace

The Brierfield Furnace, also known as the Bibb Naval Furnace and Brierfield Ironworks, is a historic district in Brierfield, Alabama. The district covers 486 acres (197 ha) and includes one building and nine sites. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 20, 1974.[1] The district is encompassed by Brierfield Ironworks Historical State Park.[2]

The Brierfield Furnace site was developed in 1861 by Caswell Campbell Huckabee,[3] a Greensboro planter, and Jonathan Newton Smith, a Bibb County planter, on land purchased from Jesse Mahan near the Little Cahaba River, a tributary of the Cahaba. The endeavor was initially known as the Bibb County Iron Company, with Huckabee providing most of the capital and slave labor for construction. Richard Fell was employed to build a 36-foot-high (11 m) stone blast furnace and, in 1862, a rolling mill. The company produced cast iron initially, but soon changed over to the more lucrative production of wrought iron. The iron was used to produce farm implements.[4][5][6]

Recognizing the high quality of iron produced at Brierfield, Confederate officials forced the men to sell the ironworks to the government for $600,000 in 1863, renaming it the Bibb Naval Furnace.[3] A new 40-foot-high (12 m) brick furnace was built and a railroad line was constructed to connect the furnace to the mainline of the Alabama and Tennessee River Railroad. The output of the ironworks was then shipped to the Confederate arsenal at Selma. By 1864, the furnace was producing 25 tons of iron per day, much of which went into producing over 100 Brooke rifles ( a type of naval and coastal cannon), one of the South's most important weapons, at Selma. This all ended on March 31, 1865, when the Bibb Naval Furnace was destroyed by the 10th Missouri Volunteer Cavalry during Wilson's Raid.[3][4][5][6]

Select the Ideal Vet Tech Program near Brierfield AL

Brierfield AL vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician program is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students thinking about veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Brierfield AL.