Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Hollandale MS

How to Choose a Vet Tech Program near Hollandale Mississippi

Hollandale MS vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Hollandale MS could at first seem like a challenging task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper 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 best selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. Once they have found some area schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important factors when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Hollandale MS

cat with cone after surgery in Hollandale MS Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the Hollandale MS veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years. Therefore the main distinction 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 also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Hollandale MS labs or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Hollandale

student attending online vet tech school in Hollandale MS An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Hollandale MS veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Hollandale MS Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Hollandale MS vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Hollandale MS area as well as across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, 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 review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for many Hollandale MS area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Mississippi school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Hollandale MS veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Hollandale MS veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Hollandale MS veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not well regarded 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 most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Hollandale MS schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback 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 College Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Hollandale MS home, you need to make certain that the driving time fits into 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 near or in a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Hollandale MS. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Hollandale MS?

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

Hollandale, Mississippi

A one-room school house in Hollandale was founded by Emory Peter "E.P." Simmons in 1891. One of the first schools for African-American children in the area, it was used until 1923, when financial support from the Rosenwald Fund enabled the construction of a larger brick school. Simmons worked as an educator and administrator for 52 years, and Simmons High School in Hollandale is named in his honor.[4]

Thomas Roosevelt "T.R." Sanders was a noted community leader. Sanders was principal of Simmons High School for 33 years, and the first superintendent of the Hollandale Colored School District. Sanders developed 'Sanders Estates', the town's first subdivision, and organized an association which provided running water to neighboring Sharkey County. Sanders was the first African-American in Mississippi to receive a master's degree in educational administration.[4][5]

The Farm Fresh Catfish processing plant was located in Hollandale until it closed in 2004, laying off 240 workers. The Delta & Pine Land Company of Mississippi, a cotton and soybean producer owned by Monsanto, continues to be a major employer.[2]

Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technician School near Hollandale MS

Hollandale MS vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician program is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech colleges must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Hollandale MS.