Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Lauderdale MS

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Lauderdale Mississippi

Lauderdale MS vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Lauderdale MS could at first feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach assessing and contrasting schools so that you can make the right choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. After they have found some area schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important factors when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are looking at before you make a final decision. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Lauderdale MS

cat with cone after surgery in Lauderdale MS Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician 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 determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Lauderdale MS veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Lauderdale

student attending online vet tech school in Lauderdale MS An approach that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Lauderdale MS veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for traveling and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Lauderdale MS Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Lauderdale MS vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Lauderdale MS area as well as across the United States, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Lauderdale MS area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Mississippi school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Lauderdale MS veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some colleges 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 clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Lauderdale MS veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Lauderdale MS vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not well thought of 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 receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lauderdale MS schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Lauderdale MS home, you must confirm 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, especially 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 fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lauderdale MS. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lauderdale MS?

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

Lauderdale County, Mississippi

Lauderdale County is a county located on the eastern border of the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2010 census, the population was 80,261.[1] The county seat is Meridian.[2] The county is named for Colonel James Lauderdale, who was killed at the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812.[3]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 78,161 people, 29,990 households, and 20,573 families residing in the county. The population density was 111 people per square mile (43/km²). There were 33,418 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile (18/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 60.15% White, 38.18% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 1.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 29,990 households out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.70% were married couples living together, 18.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.06.

Select the Right Vet Tech School near Lauderdale MS

Lauderdale MS vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right vet tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Students considering veterinary technician colleges need to make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Lauderdale MS.