Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Scarborough ME

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near Scarborough Maine

Scarborough ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Scarborough ME may initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their homes. After they have identified some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when evaluating vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Scarborough ME

cat with cone after surgery in Scarborough ME Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can carry out within the Scarborough ME veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice 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 techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and typically acquire 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 duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Scarborough

student attending online vet tech school in Scarborough ME An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Scarborough 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, for example for travel and study materials, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Scarborough ME Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Scarborough ME vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you wish 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, trade and vocational schools in the Scarborough ME area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded 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 confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Scarborough ME area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Scarborough ME veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Scarborough ME veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Scarborough ME vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well 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 probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Scarborough ME programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Scarborough ME home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into 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, particularly if the campus is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in 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. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Scarborough ME. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Scarborough ME?

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

Scarborough, Maine

Scarborough is a town in Cumberland County on the southern coast of the U.S. state of Maine. The town is a coastal resort area. Located about 7 miles (11 km) south of Portland, Scarborough is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area. The population was 18,919 at the 2010 census.[4]

In about 1630, John Stratton opened a trading post on Stratton Island in Saco Bay off Scarborough's shore.[5] In 1631, the Plymouth Council for New England granted the "Black Point Patent" to Captain Thomas Cammock, nephew of the Earl of Warwick. Cammock built a house and began residence in 1635 on the 1,500-acre (6.1 km2) tract of land, which extended from the Spurwink River to Black Point - today this area is known as Prouts Neck.[5] However, he then sold his holdings and moved to the West Indies. Nevertheless, settlements developed at Black Point, Blue Point (i.e., Pine Point), Dunstan (i.e., West Scarborough) and Stratton Island.[5] By 1650, there were fifty homes.[5] The town offered excellent fishing and farming. On July 14, 1658, the Massachusetts General Court incorporated them all as Scarborough, named for Scarborough in Yorkshire, England.[6]

At the outbreak of King Philip's War in 1675, Scarborough was an important coastal settlement with over one hundred houses and one thousand head of cattle.[5] By 1676, the town had been laid to waste as a result of the war - some settlers were killed and others were taken hostage by the Native Americans.[5] Subsequently, Massachusetts sent soldiers accompanied by Indian allies in 1677 to secure the town for resettlement. On June 29, 1677, while pursuing some Indians sent as a ruse, the company was ambushed by warriors under Chief Squando. In the New England militia of nearly one hundred soldiers, fifty to sixty were left dead or mortally wounded. Among the casualties was Captain Benjamin Swett. Called the Battle at Moore's Brook, it was an embarrassing rout for the military. In 1681, a great fort was erected at Black Point. After several attempts to rebuild between guerrilla incursions during King William's War, the survivors evacuated in 1690 and moved south to Portsmouth, New Hampshire or Boston.[5]

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech Program near Scarborough ME

Scarborough ME vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal vet tech program is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students considering vet tech schools must make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for 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 choice. And by picking the ideal program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Scarborough ME.