Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools West Point MS

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near West Point Mississippi

West Point MS vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near West Point MS may initially feel like a daunting endeavor. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the right choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have identified some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when evaluating vet technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are considering 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 discuss the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in West Point MS

cat with cone after surgery in West Point MS One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can carry out within the West Point MS veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a formal 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 technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared with assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 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 job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in West Point MS laboratories or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in West Point

student attending online vet tech school in West Point MS An approach that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local West Point MS veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for commuting and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask West Point MS Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask West Point MS vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the West Point MS area as well as across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, 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 demanding review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for many West Point MS area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. 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 suggestions include checking with 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 complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some West Point 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 recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with West Point MS veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the West Point MS veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the West Point MS programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your West Point MS home, you need to make certain 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, particularly if the school is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough 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 West Point MS. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near West Point MS?

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

West Point, Mississippi

West Point is a city in Clay County, Mississippi, in the Golden Triangle region of the state. The population was 11,307 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Clay County[4] and the principal city of the West Point Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger Columbus-West Point Combined Statistical Area.

West Point, MS is located in the North East section of Mississippi just across the Alabama state line. West Point has a rich heritage with generations of family lineage calling it home. Historically the area has a blend of African American, White and Native American lineage. The city has many social activities sponsored by church and civic organizations.

As of the census[4] of 2010, there were 11,307 people 4,444 households, and 3,043 families residing in the city. The population density was 535.13 people per square mile (225.3/km²). There were 4,856 housing units at an average density of 235.3 per square mile (90.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 40.6% White, 56.9% African American, 0.01% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 0.9% of the population. There were 3,043 households out of which 22.2% had own children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.1% were married couples living together, 28.4% had a female householder with no husband present, male household no wife present 4.9% and 31.5% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 28.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48, and the average family size was 3.04. In the city, the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 20 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.4 years. The population was 53.7% female and 46.3% male. The median income for a household in the city was $30,440, and the median income for a family was $39,295. The per capita income for the city was $17,675. About 23.4% of families and 24.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.8% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those people age 65 or over.

Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technician College near West Point MS

West Point MS vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician program is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician schools must make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech colleges 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 decision. And by selecting the ideal program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in West Point MS.