Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Kensington MD

How to Pick a Vet Tech Program near Kensington Maryland

Kensington MD vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Kensington MD could initially seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have found some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant considerations when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Kensington MD

cat with cone after surgery in Kensington MD One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Kensington MD veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice 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 techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and generally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general 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 complicated duties, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Kensington MD laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Kensington

student attending online vet tech school in Kensington MD An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Kensington MD veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for traveling and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Kensington MD Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Kensington MD vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Kensington MD area and across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Kensington MD area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Maryland school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Kensington MD veterinary clinics that you may want 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 means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Kensington MD veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Kensington MD veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Kensington MD colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Kensington MD home, you have to make sure that the driving time is compatible with 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, particularly if the campus is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you determine if the veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Kensington MD. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Kensington MD?

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

Kensington, Maryland

The area around the Rock Creek basin where Kensington is located was primarily agricultural until 1873, when the B&O Railroad completed the Metropolitan Branch which traversed Montgomery County. A community arose where the new railroad line intersected the old Rockville-to-Bladensburg road. This early settlement was first known as Knowles Station. In the early 1890s, Washington, D.C. developer Brainard Warner began purchasing land parcels to build a planned Victorian community, complete with church, library and a local newspaper. Fascinated by a recent trip to London, Warner named his subdivision Kensington Park, the 10th and largest subdivision in the area which became the Town of Kensington. Upon incorporation in 1894, Warner convinced the Mayor and Council to name the town Kensington.[5] The historic core of Kensington was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as the Kensington Historic District in 1980.[6]

Originally a farming community at Knowles Station, Kensington developed into a summer refuge for Washington, D.C., residents wishing to escape the capital's humid summers. As years passed and its residents increasingly remained year round, Kensington evolved into a commuter suburb. The large southernmost section originally mapped out by Warner remains largely unchanged since inception, and is a historically preserved zone. Indeed, the only major changes in the town's basic layout have been the bridging over of the original railroad crossing in 1937, and the extension and widening of Connecticut Avenue, the town's main thoroughfare, in 1957.

In March 1975, Kensington gained attention regionally due to the disappearance of Sheila and Katherine Lyon. The sisters walked to Wheaton Plaza, a local shopping mall where they were seen by witnesses including their brother. However, they never returned home and the case remains unsolved.

Choose the Right Vet Tech Program near Kensington MD

Kensington MD vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Students considering veterinary technician colleges must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Kensington MD.