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How to Find the Right Vet Tech School near Southaven Mississippi

Southaven MS vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Southaven MS might initially seem like a daunting task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. Once they have found some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when assessing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are considering 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 go over the varied duties of vet techs and the training options available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Southaven MS

cat with cone after surgery in Southaven MS One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Southaven MS veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing 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 completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may 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 Southaven MS labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Southaven

student attending online vet tech school in Southaven MS An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Southaven MS veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you choose 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 complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Southaven MS Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Southaven MS vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Southaven MS area and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Southaven MS area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Mississippi school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Southaven MS veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Southaven MS veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by means 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 aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help 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 instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Southaven MS veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify 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, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Southaven MS colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Southaven MS home, you must make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, 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. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Southaven MS. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Southaven MS?

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

Southaven, Mississippi

Southaven is a city in DeSoto County, Mississippi, United States. It is a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee, and a principal city in the Memphis metropolitan area. The 2010 census reported a population of 48,982,[3] making Southaven the third-largest city in Mississippi and the second most populous suburb of Memphis.[5] Southaven is traversed from north to south by the I-55/I-69 freeway. The city's name derives from the fact that Southaven is located south of Whitehaven, a neighborhood in Memphis.

Southaven began as a village when Memphis homebuilder Kemmons Wilson (founder of Holiday Inn) wished to develop a few residential subdivisions featuring small starter homes just across the Mississippi border from Whitehaven, Tennessee, an unincorporated suburb of Memphis. Whitehaven was eventually annexed by Memphis. Officially incorporated in 1980, Southaven is one of the fastest-growing cities in the southeastern United States.[citation needed] In just 20 years, Southaven doubled its land area, while its population tripled.

The construction of Interstate 55 through Southaven in the 1970s helped to promote growth and make for easier access to the city from Memphis, Jackson, St. Louis, and Chicago. Interstate 69, which will eventually run from Canada to Mexico, was cosigned with I-55 in Southaven in 2007.[6]

Choose the Right Vet Tech Program near Southaven MS

Southaven MS vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet tech schools must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Southaven MS.