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How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Acton Maine

Acton ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Acton ME may at first seem like a challenging task. After all, you must find and enroll in a school that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. When they have located some area colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important factors when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make a final decision. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Acton ME

cat with cone after surgery in Acton ME One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Acton ME veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing 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 completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required 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 emergency care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Acton ME labs or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Acton

student attending online vet tech school in Acton ME An option that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Acton ME veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for example for commuting and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Acton ME Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Acton ME vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Acton ME area as well as across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, one of 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 screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Acton ME area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Acton ME veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Acton ME veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate might indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Acton ME vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not highly 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 sized, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Acton ME programs you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Acton ME home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, 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 in or close by a large 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 higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may 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 veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Acton ME. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Acton ME?

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

Acton, Maine

Acton is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,447 at the 2010 census. It includes the villages of Acton, Miller Corner and South Acton. The town is home to the Acton Fairground, which holds the Acton Fair every late summer. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.

It was part of the extensive Ossipee Tract sold on November 28, 1668, by Newichawannock Chief Captain Sunday (or Wesumbe) to Francis Small, a trader from Kittery. Small sold a half interest in the tract to Major Nicholas Shapleigh of Eliot. In 1770, heirs found the unrecorded deed and divided the land, with Shapleigh's descendants awarded one half of Limerick and all of Parsonsfield and Shapleigh. First called Hubbardstown Plantation, Shapleigh was in 1785 incorporated and named in honor of Nicholas Shapleigh. Its western portion was set off and incorporated on March 6, 1830, as Acton, named after Acton, England.[4]

The town was first settled at Acton village in 1776 by Benjamin Kimens, Clement Steele and John York, all from York. In 1779, Joseph Parsons built a gristmill on the Salmon Falls River near Wakefield, New Hampshire. Other mills followed at Acton's various water power sites, including sawmills, gristmills, a hemp mill, a carding mill, a felt mill, a tannery and a shoe factory. In 1877, a vein of silver was discovered near Goding Creek and the Lebanon border. Prospectors dug mines during the 1880s, after which the enterprise declined.[5]

Select the Right Veterinary Technician College near Acton ME

Acton ME vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician schools need to make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you pick 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 assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Acton ME.