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How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Hallowell Maine

Hallowell ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Hallowell ME could at first seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the best choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. Once they have identified some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when assessing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Hallowell ME

cat with cone after surgery in Hallowell ME Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Hallowell ME veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialization.

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 trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and generally acquire 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 fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Hallowell ME labs or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Hallowell

student attending online vet tech school in Hallowell ME An option that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Hallowell ME veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. 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 self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Hallowell ME Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Hallowell ME vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Hallowell ME area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously 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 gone through a thorough review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Hallowell ME area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Hallowell ME veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Hallowell ME veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Hallowell ME veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low 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 in size, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Hallowell ME colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Hallowell ME home, you must make sure 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending 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 last, it’s important that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Hallowell ME. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Hallowell ME?

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

Hallowell, Maine

Hallowell is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,381 at the 2010 census. Popular with tourists, Hallowell is noted for its culture and old architecture. Hallowell is included in the Augusta, Maine micropolitan New England City and Town Area.

First to settle here was Deacon Pease Clark, who emigrated with his wife and son Peter from Attleborough, Massachusetts, in the spring of 1762. Legend has it that after disembarking on the west side of the Kennebec, near present-day Water Street, the Clarks took shelter in their overturned cart. On a riverfront lot measuring 50 rods (275 yards, about 250 meters), the Clark family raised corn, rye and other crops. The first land they cleared was occupied by the fire department in 1859.[5]

In 1797, the modern city of Augusta split from Hallowell to be a separate town. The part of Hallowell that is the current city was then known as "The Hook".[6] Today, the city's population (2,467) is only slightly smaller than it was in 1820, the year Maine seceded from Massachusetts and became a state. Yet 183 years ago, Hallowell's inhabitants enjoyed the services of 71 stores along Water Street (by contrast, Augusta had a population of 1,000 and just 20 merchants).

Pick the Right Vet Tech College near Hallowell ME

Hallowell ME vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech programs need to make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when 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 field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Hallowell ME.