How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Andover Maine
Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Andover ME might at first feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will furnish the necessary training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the ideal choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. Once they have located some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when assessing vet tech programs, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.
The Job of a Vet Tech in Andover ME
One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Andover ME veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, 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 completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
- Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and normally obtain a 2 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 duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 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 options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Andover ME laboratories or research facilities as well.
Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Andover
An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Andover ME veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Andover ME Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Andover ME area and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Andover ME area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Andover ME veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest 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 professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Andover ME veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Andover ME veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Andover ME schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Andover ME home, you have to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you determine if the vet colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Andover ME. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.
Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Andover ME?
If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Andover Maine area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.
Andover, Maine
Andover is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 821 at the 2010 census. Set among mountains and crossed by the Appalachian Trail, Andover was home to the Andover Earth Station (now demolished) and Lovejoy Covered Bridge (extant).
The land which became known as Andover was originally purchased in 1788 by a group of proprietors mostly from Andover, Massachusetts. The original proprietors were Thomas Poor of Methuen, Massachusetts; Jonathan Abbot, Benjamin Poor, Ebenezer Adams, Ingalls Bragg, Theodore Stevens, Samuel Farnum, Philip Abbott, Samuel Johnson, Abiel Lovejoy, and Eben Poor, Jr. all of Andover, Massachusetts; Joseph Frye of Fryeburg, Maine; and John York, Ezekiel Merrill, and Josiah Bean of Bethel, Maine. The town was first settled in 1789 by Ezekiel Merrill and his family who were transported there from Bethel, Maine in canoes managed by members of the local Pequawket tribe. The first saw-mill was built on the East Branch of the Ellis River by Col. Thomas Poor in 1791 and was used to provide the lumber for the still standing Merrill-Poor House.[4]
Early occupations included agriculture and lumbering. As the town developed, factories made doors, sash, blinds, starch, cheese, boots and shoes, edge-tools, carriages and harness. It also had a tannery. Located on an intervale surrounded by mountains, Andover was noted for "its grand and beautiful scenery," with streams abounding in trout. After the Civil War, the town became a popular destination for sportsmen, especially fishermen attracted by the nearby Richardson Lakes. A hotel was built to accommodate the influx of tourists.[6]
Pick the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Andover ME
Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician college is an important first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you select 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 assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Andover ME.
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