Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Brookhaven MS

How to Select a Vet Tech Program near Brookhaven Mississippi

Brookhaven MS vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Brookhaven MS could initially feel like a daunting endeavor. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. When they have located some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important factors when comparing vet technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied roles of vet techs and the training options available.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Brookhaven MS

cat with cone after surgery in Brookhaven MS Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Brookhaven MS veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern 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 technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and normally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent 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 involved activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Brookhaven MS laboratories or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Brookhaven

student attending online vet tech school in Brookhaven MS An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Brookhaven MS veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for travel and study supplies, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized 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 mode, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Brookhaven MS Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Brookhaven MS vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinary degree that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Brookhaven MS area and across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet tech 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). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review 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 offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Brookhaven MS area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Mississippi school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Brookhaven MS veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Brookhaven MS veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Brookhaven MS vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Brookhaven MS programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Brookhaven MS home, you need to make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Brookhaven MS. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Brookhaven MS?

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

Brookhaven, Mississippi

Brookhaven (/bruːˈkeɪvən/ broo-KAY-vən) is a small city in Lincoln County, Mississippi, United States, 60 miles south of the state capital of Jackson. The population was 12,520 at the 2010 U.S. Census. It is the county seat of Lincoln County.[3] It was named after the Town of Brookhaven, New York by founder Samuel Jayne in 1818.

During the Civil War, Brookhaven was briefly occupied at noon on April 29, 1863 by a raiding party of Union cavalry under the command of Colonel Benjamin Grierson. The Union force burned public buildings and destroyed the railroad.[5] This was rebuilt after the war.

In 1955, Lamar Smith, a U.S. civil rights figure, black farmer, World War I veteran and an organizer of black voter registration, was shot to death mid-day on the lawn of the county courthouse in Brookhaven.[7]

Enroll in the Ideal Vet Tech Program near Brookhaven MS

Brookhaven MS vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech school is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician programs must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and support 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 outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Brookhaven MS.