Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools South Thomaston ME

How to Pick a Vet Tech Program near South Thomaston Maine

South Thomaston ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near South Thomaston ME could initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. Once they have located some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in South Thomaston ME

cat with cone after surgery in South Thomaston ME Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated 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 both work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of tasks that they can carry out within the South Thomaston ME veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to 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 veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more involved duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years. So the only real 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, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in South Thomaston ME labs or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in South Thomaston

student attending online vet tech school in South Thomaston ME An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local South Thomaston ME veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for example for commuting and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask South Thomaston ME Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask South Thomaston ME vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the South Thomaston ME area and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for many South Thomaston ME area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some South Thomaston ME veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with South Thomaston ME veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the South Thomaston ME veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the South Thomaston ME schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your South Thomaston ME home, you must make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, 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 near or in 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 increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near South Thomaston ME. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near South Thomaston ME?

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

South Thomaston, Maine

Abenaki Indians called it Wessaweskeag, meaning "tidal creek" or "salt creek," a reference to what is now known as the Weskeag River. Thomas Lefebvre from Quebec, Canada owned a huge tract of land at the Weskeag River, where his stay began in 1704. He built a large gristmill, with a house on the shoreline. Although he would eventually return to Quebec, the area retained his name — Thomas' Town. But the adjacent St. George River was the uneasy dividing line between land controlled by New England and New France. Permanent settlement would be delayed by the French and Indian Wars, which ended with the 1763 Treaty of Paris.[4]

In 1767, Wessaweskeag was settled by Elisha Snow, who built a sawmill operated by tidal power. In 1773, Joseph Coombs arrived and built another sawmill nearby, and together they built a gristmill. The village of South Thomaston grew around the mills, which would include three granite polishing machines to process stone cut from the town's numerous quarries. On July 28, 1848, South Thomaston was set off from Thomaston and incorporated as a separate town.[5]Owl's Head would be set off from South Thomaston on July 9, 1921.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 17.97 square miles (46.54 km2), of which, 11.44 square miles (29.63 km2) of it is land and 6.53 square miles (16.91 km2) is water.[1] South Thomaston is located on the Weskeag River inlet.

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech School near South Thomaston ME

South Thomaston ME vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal veterinary technician school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech schools must make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech 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 selection. And by selecting the ideal college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in South Thomaston ME.