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How to Select a Vet Tech School near Westover Alabama

Westover AL vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Westover AL might at first feel like a challenging endeavor. 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 approach analyzing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. After they have identified some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important factors when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Westover AL

cat with cone after surgery in Westover AL Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many functions that they can carry out within the Westover AL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and generally acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. So the only real 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 additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Westover AL laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Westover

student attending online vet tech school in Westover AL An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many 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 Westover AL veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Westover AL Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Westover AL vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Westover AL area as well as across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list 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 program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, 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 a demanding review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Westover AL area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Westover AL veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Westover AL veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Westover AL veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well 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 in size, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Westover AL colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Westover AL home, you need to make certain that the commuting 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, particularly if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Westover AL. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Westover AL?

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

Westover Air Reserve Base

Westover Air Reserve Base (IATA: CEF, ICAO: KCEF, FAA LID: CEF) is an Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) installation located in the Massachusetts communities of Chicopee and Ludlow, near the city of Springfield, Massachusetts. Westover hosts the largest Air Reserve Base in the world in terms of area. Until 2011, it was a backup landing site for the NASA Space Shuttle and in the past few years has expanded to include a growing civilian access airport (Westover Metropolitan Airport) sharing Westover's military-maintained runways.[2] The installation was named for Major General Oscar Westover who was commanding officer of the Army Air Corps in the 1930s.[3]

The host unit is the 439th Airlift Wing (439 AW) of the Fourth Air Force (4 AF), Air Force Reserve Command. Outside of the AFRC command structure, the 439 AW and Westover are operationally gained by the Air Mobility Command (AMC).

In 1951, Air Defense Command arrived, but then turned over the base in 1955 to Strategic Air Command, which sent the 4050th, later 499th Air Refueling Wing, to operate from the base. The 99th Bombardment Wing arrived in 1956. In case of nuclear war, an alternate SAC command bunker, called The Notch, was constructed deep within nearby Bare Mountain.[6]

Choose the Right Vet Tech Program near Westover AL

Westover AL vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician program is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into veterinary technician schools must make their decision 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 responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Westover AL.