Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Clarksburg MD

How to Choose a Vet Tech Program near Clarksburg Maryland

Clarksburg MD vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Clarksburg MD might at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you have to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. When they have identified some local colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important considerations when assessing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied roles of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Clarksburg MD

cat with cone after surgery in Clarksburg MD Among 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 preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Clarksburg MD veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo 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 fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Clarksburg MD laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Clarksburg

student attending online vet tech school in Clarksburg MD An option that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Clarksburg MD veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, such as for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Clarksburg MD Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Clarksburg MD vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Clarksburg MD area and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 undergone an extensive review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Clarksburg MD area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Maryland school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Clarksburg MD veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Clarksburg MD veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate might indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Clarksburg MD vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Clarksburg MD programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Clarksburg MD home, you have to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Clarksburg MD. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Clarksburg MD?

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

Clarksburg, Maryland

Clarksburg is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in northern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, located along the Interstate 270 technology corridor about 4 miles north of Germantown, Maryland. As of Census 2010 its population was 13,766.[1]

As an unincorporated area, Clarksburg's boundaries are not officially defined. Clarksburg is, however, recognized by the United States Census Bureau as a census-designated place, and by the United States Geological Survey as a populated place.

According to the United States Census Bureau, it has a total area of 8.3 square miles (21 km2), of which, 8.2 square miles (21 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (1.82%) is water.

Pick the Right Veterinary Technician School near Clarksburg MD

Clarksburg MD vet tech holding dog Selecting the right vet tech program is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about vet tech programs need to make their determination based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Clarksburg MD.