Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Friars Point MS

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near Friars Point Mississippi

Friars Point MS vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Friars Point MS could initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will furnish the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. After they have found some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when assessing vet technician programs, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Friars Point MS

cat with cone after surgery in Friars Point MS Among the first 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 principal factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many duties that they can perform within the Friars Point MS veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn 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 opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Friars Point MS labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Friars Point

student attending online vet tech school in Friars Point MS An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Friars Point MS veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for traveling and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Friars Point MS Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Friars Point MS vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Friars Point MS area as well as across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that verifies you will get 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 schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Friars Point MS area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Mississippi school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Friars Point MS veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more programs 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 clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with Friars Point MS veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate may indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Friars Point MS veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate 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 larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Friars Point MS colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning 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? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Friars Point MS home, you must make sure that the driving time fits into 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 in or near a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you find out if the vet programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Friars Point MS. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Friars Point MS?

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

Friars Point, Mississippi

The town was founded in 1836 and originally called "Farrar's Point". When the town incorporated in 1852, its name was changed to "Friar's Point" to honor Robert Friar, an early settler, legislator, and businessman who sold fuel to passing steamboats. In 1850, the county seat was moved from the nearby town of Delta to Friars Point.[5][6]

During the Civil War, Union troops occupied and burned portions of the town. The Robinson-Slack-Marinelli House (now the Minie Ball House), which still stands and bears the mark of shelling from gunboats, was used as a headquarters by Union General Napoleon Bonaparte Buford.[8] General William Tecumseh Sherman and Admiral David Dixon Porter used Friars Point as a rendezvous for 45 transport ships in December 1862, prior to attacking Vicksburg.[9] Friars Point was also home to Confederate Brigadier General James L. Alcorn, whose grave and former plantation, Eagles Nest, are located a short distance east of the town.[10] Alcorn turned from Whig to Republican after the war, and went on to become governor with the support of the large number of carpetbaggers who had settled in Friars Point.[7] In 1875, when Reconstruction was fighting for its life against a campaign of violence from the Democrats, Alcorn led a white force against black Republicans at Friar's Point. The battle led to a number of people being killed, and served to suppress the black vote, allowing conservative Democrats to regain political power.[11]

The famous gunman and train robber Jesse James came to Friars Point one evening during the 1880s. He visited with the Methodist minister, then played poker and had some drinks at the local saloon. The next morning he was gone.[8]

Pick the Right Vet Tech Program near Friars Point MS

Friars Point MS vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate veterinary technician program is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Students considering vet tech programs must make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when 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 vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the ideal college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Friars Point MS.