Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Annapolis Junction MD

How to Select a Vet Tech Program near Annapolis Junction Maryland

Annapolis Junction MD vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Annapolis Junction MD could at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach assessing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. When they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Annapolis Junction MD

cat with cone after surgery in Annapolis Junction MD Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Annapolis Junction MD veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through 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 vocational school or community college. 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 complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Annapolis Junction MD labs or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Annapolis Junction

student attending online vet tech school in Annapolis Junction MD An option that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Annapolis Junction MD veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for commuting and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Annapolis Junction MD Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Annapolis Junction MD vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Annapolis Junction MD area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Annapolis Junction MD area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Maryland school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Annapolis Junction MD veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Annapolis Junction MD veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Annapolis Junction MD vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate 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 most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Annapolis Junction MD colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Annapolis Junction MD home, you need to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a larger city. In addition, 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 fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the vet schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Annapolis Junction MD. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family issues. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Annapolis Junction MD?

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

Annapolis Junction, Maryland

The lands of Annapolis Junction were first settled around 1650. Provincial Assembly of Maryland member and Anne Arundel County Justice Colonel Henry Ridgely (1645-1710) surveyed the land around Annapolis Junction and nearby Savage Mill in 1685 naming the tract "Ridgely's Forrest".[3][4]

Annapolis Junction was established as a rail junction on the north-south mainline of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) when the tracks of the Annapolis and Elk Ridge Railroad terminated here in 1840. Since this provided a rail route to Annapolis from Washington and Baltimore via the B&O, it was, therefore, a junction to Annapolis. On August 26, 1844 the Annapolis Junction post office opened.[5][6]

On May 1, 1844, in a small wooden building along the railroad tracks, the first practical news telegram was sent from Annapolis Junction. The message, from Alfred Vail to Samuel F. B. Morse, announced that the Whig Party candidate would be Henry Clay, and his running mate would be Theodore Frelinghuysen. The candidates left Annapolis Junction by train, and arrived in Washington to find the news was already being announced in the city by the local papers.[7]

Select the Right Vet Tech College near Annapolis Junction MD

Annapolis Junction MD vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician school is an important first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech colleges need to make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online schools 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 decision. And by choosing the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Annapolis Junction MD.