Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Sturbridge MA

How to Find the Right Vet Tech Program near Sturbridge Massachusetts

Sturbridge MA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Sturbridge MA could at first feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their homes. When they have identified some area colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have furnished several within this article 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 Veterinary Technician in Sturbridge MA

cat with cone after surgery in Sturbridge MA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might 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 interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the Sturbridge MA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical 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 to assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Sturbridge

student attending online vet tech school in Sturbridge MA An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Sturbridge MA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for traveling and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Sturbridge MA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Sturbridge MA vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Sturbridge MA area as well as across the United States, you must ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you choose 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 gone through an extensive review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Sturbridge MA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the vet 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 tips include checking with 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 suggestion, get in touch with some Sturbridge MA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Sturbridge MA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate may suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Sturbridge MA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement 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 one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Sturbridge MA colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students regarding 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 Campus Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Sturbridge MA home, you need to make certain 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Sturbridge MA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Sturbridge MA?

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

Sturbridge, Massachusetts

The area that is today Sturbridge was first visited by the English Puritans in 1644 when John Winthrop the Younger visted the area now known as Tantisques. Winthrop II bought the land from Tantasqua (local area sachem) and mined graphite, lead, and iron. The mine stayed in the Winthrop family as late as 1784 and was in operation until 1910. Sturbridge was first settled by the English in 1729 by settlers from Medfield, and was officially incorporated in 1738.[2] New Medfield and Dummer (after Governor William Dummer) were considered as town names before the town was named after Stourbridge, England.[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.0 square miles (101 km2), of which 37.4 square miles (97 km2) is land and 1.5 square miles (4 km2), or 3.95%, is water. Sturbridge is bordered by Charlton and Southbridge to the east, Union, Connecticut and Woodstock, Connecticut to the south, Brimfield and Holland to the west, and Brookfield and East Brookfield to the north. Sturbridge lies about 29 miles (47 km) east of Springfield, 16 miles (25.7 km) southwest of Worcester, and 55 miles (88.5 km) west of Boston.

U.S. Route 20 runs through Sturbridge, and the junction of Interstate 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) and Interstate 84 is located there. The Wilbur Cross Highway (Connecticut Route 15) formerly ended in Sturbridge; locals sometimes call Haynes Street and portions of Mashapaug Road "Old Route 15". Haynes Street ends at Main Street (Massachusetts Route 131), which connects Sturbridge Center with Southbridge; on the west side of town, Massachusetts Route 148 connects Fiskdale with Brookfield. On August 18, 1955 gale-force winds and torrential downpour from Hurricane Diane created floodwaters that broke dams in surrounding towns and flooded the village.

Enroll in the Right Veterinary Technician College near Sturbridge MA

Sturbridge MA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal vet tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician programs must make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Sturbridge MA.