Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools North Waterford ME

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near North Waterford Maine

North Waterford ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near North Waterford ME could initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing colleges so that you can make the right selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. After they have identified some local schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Job of a Vet Tech in North Waterford ME

cat with cone after surgery in North Waterford ME Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the North Waterford ME veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved activities, for instance 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 examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive 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 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 involved in more involved duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years to complete. So the main 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 also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in North Waterford

student attending online vet tech school in North Waterford ME An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local North Waterford ME veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for commuting and study materials, may be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask North Waterford ME Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask North Waterford ME vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the North Waterford ME area and across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, 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 rigorous review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for many North Waterford ME area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school 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 looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some North Waterford ME veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with North Waterford ME veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate may signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the North Waterford ME veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the North Waterford ME schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your North Waterford ME home, you have to make sure that the commuting 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 college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you determine if the vet colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near North Waterford ME. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near North Waterford ME?

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

North Waterford Congregational Church

The North Waterford Congregational Church is a historic church off ME 35 in North Waterford, Maine. It is a two story wood frame rectangular structure, with a projecting entry and tower section at the front. Built in 1860, is an attractive Italianate building representing a mature work of Thomas Holt, a Maine architect known for his churches and railroad stations. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

The North Waterford Church was established in 1860 by congregants of the main Waterford Congregational Church located in Waterford Village who lived in northern Waterford and did not want to travel that distance for services. The church was designed by Thomas Holt, a native of Bethel who designed several other churches in the state, but is more widely known for his railroad architecture. The church was raised in June 1860 and dedicated in December of the same year. It continues to be occupied by the same congregation.[2]

The church is set at the high point of a narrow triangular green bounded on its long sides by Five Kezars Road and Irving Green Road. It is a two story wood frame structure set on a granite foundation and sheathed predominantly in wooden clapboards. Projecting from the main (northeast-facing) facade is an entry section which rises to support the tower. This section has double doors at the ground level, accessed via granite steps, with a pair of tall round-arch windows above, and is generally flushboarded. This complex is framed by pilasters and a keystoned arch. Above this is the projecting section is interrupted by a gabled roof, with partial returns and bracketed eaves.[2]

Select the Right Vet Tech College near North Waterford ME

North Waterford ME vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal vet tech college is an important first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students considering vet tech schools need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in North Waterford ME.