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How to Select a Veterinary Technician Program near Saugus Massachusetts

Saugus MA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Saugus MA could at first feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. After they have found some area colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important factors when comparing vet technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Saugus MA

cat with cone after surgery in Saugus MA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Saugus MA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from 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 completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and normally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Saugus MA laboratories or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Saugus

student attending online vet tech school in Saugus MA An option that may be a solution 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 offered over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Saugus MA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for example for travel and study supplies, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Saugus MA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Saugus MA vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Saugus MA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, 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 a demanding review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Saugus MA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Massachusetts school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Saugus MA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get 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 most effective means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Saugus MA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate could signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Saugus MA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Saugus MA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Saugus MA home, you have to confirm that the driving time is compatible with 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. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the vet programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Saugus MA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Saugus MA?

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

Saugus, Massachusetts

Saugus was first settled in 1629. Saugus is a Native American (Algonquin) name believed to mean "great" or "extended". In 1637, the territory known as Saugus (which also contained the present day cities and towns of Swampscott, Nahant, Lynn, Lynnfield, Reading, and Wakefield) was renamed Lin or Lynn, after King's Lynn in Norfolk, England.[2]

In 1646, the Saugus Iron Works, then called Hammersmith, began operations. It was the first integrated iron works in North America as well as one of the most technologically advanced in the world. The Iron Works produced over one ton of iron a day, but was not financially successful. It closed around 1670.[3]

In September 1687, Major Samuel Appleton was said to have given a speech from a rocky cliff near the Iron Works denouncing the tyranny of Colonial Governor Sir Edmund Andros. The place where he is said to have delivered the speech became known as Appleton's Pulpit.[4][5][6]

Enroll in the Best Vet Tech Program near Saugus MA

Saugus MA vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician program is an important first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students considering veterinary technician programs must make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Saugus MA.