Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools New Portland ME

How to Find the Right Vet Tech School near New Portland Maine

New Portland ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near New Portland ME could initially seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. Once they have found some local colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important factors when evaluating veterinary technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in New Portland ME

cat with cone after surgery in New Portland ME Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish 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 main factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the New Portland ME veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the standard vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and normally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. So 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 job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in New Portland ME laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in New Portland

student attending online vet tech school in New Portland ME An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local New Portland ME veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for traveling and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask New Portland ME Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask New Portland ME vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinary degree that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the New Portland ME area and across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down 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, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, one of 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 review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of New Portland ME area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some New Portland ME vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more schools 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 professional environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with New Portland ME veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the New Portland ME veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the New Portland ME schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your New Portland ME home, you have to confirm 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 school is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near New Portland ME. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near New Portland ME?

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

Portland, Maine

Portland is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maine, with a population of 67,067 as of 2017.[5] The Greater Portland metropolitan area is home to over half a million people, more than one-third of Maine's total population. Portland's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and the Old Port district is a popular destination. The Port of Portland is the largest tonnage seaport in New England. The city seal depicts a phoenix rising from ashes, which is a reference to the recoveries from four devastating fires.[6] Portland was named after the English Isle of Portland, Dorset. The city of Portland, Oregon was named after Portland, Maine.[7]

Native Americans originally called the Portland peninsula Machigonne ("Great Neck").[8] Portland was named for the English Isle of Portland, and the city of Portland, Oregon, was in turn named for Portland, Maine.[9] The first European settler was Capt. Christopher Levett, an English naval captain granted 6,000 acres (2,400 ha) in 1623 to found a settlement in Casco Bay. A member of the Council for New England and agent for Ferdinando Gorges, Levett built a stone house where he left a company of ten men, then returned to England to write a book about his voyage to bolster support for the settlement.[10]Ultimately, the settlement was a failure and the fate of Levett's colonists is unknown. The explorer sailed from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony to meet John Winthrop in 1630, but never returned to Maine. Fort Levett in the harbor is named for him.

The peninsula was first permanently settled in 1632 as a fishing and trading village named Casco.[8] When the Massachusetts Bay Colony took over Casco Bay in 1658, the town's name changed again to Falmouth. In 1676, the village was destroyed by the Abenaki during King Philip's War. It was rebuilt. During King William's War, a raiding party of French and Native allies attacked and largely destroyed it again in the Battle of Fort Loyal (1690).

Choose the Right Veterinary Technician Program near New Portland ME

New Portland ME vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate vet tech college is an important first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into veterinary technician colleges need to make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. 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 choice. And by choosing the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in New Portland ME.