Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Washington ME

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Washington Maine

Washington ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Washington ME might at first seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the best choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. Once they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Washington ME

cat with cone after surgery in Washington ME Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the Washington ME veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, 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 completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training in contrast to assistants and normally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Washington

student attending online vet tech school in Washington ME An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Washington ME veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, such as for travel and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. 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 mode, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Washington ME Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Washington ME vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Washington ME area as well as across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Washington ME area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Washington ME veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Washington ME veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Washington ME vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly thought of 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 get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Washington ME schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Washington ME home, you must make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Washington ME. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Washington ME?

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

George Washington

George Washington (February 22, 1732[c][d] – December 14, 1799) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and served as the nation’s first President (1789–1797). In the American Revolutionary War, he commanded Patriot forces to victory against the British and their allies. He presided over the Constitutional Convention of 1787 which established the new federal government, and he has been called the "Father of His Country".

Washington was born to a moderately prosperous Virginian family of colonial planters and slaveholders. He had early educational opportunities, learned mathematics, and soon launched a successful career as a surveyor which enabled him to make significant land investments. He then joined the Virginia militia and fought in the French and Indian War. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, leading an allied campaign to victory at the Siege of Yorktown which ended the war. His devotion to Republicanism and revulsion for tyrannical power impelled him to decline further authority after victory, and he resigned as commander-in-chief in 1783.

As one of the country’s premier statesmen, Washington was unanimously elected President by the Electoral College in the first two national elections. He promoted and oversaw implementation of a strong, well-financed national government. He remained impartial in the fierce rivalry between cabinet secretaries Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, although he adopted Hamilton's economic plans. When the French Revolution plunged Europe into war, Washington assumed a policy of neutrality to protect American ships—although the controversial Jay Treaty of 1795 normalized trade relations with Great Britain. He set precedents still in use today, such as the Cabinet advisory system, the inaugural address, the title "Mr. President", and the concept of a two-term office limit. His Farewell Address strongly warned against political partisanship, sectionalism, and involvement in foreign wars.

Pick the Right Vet Tech School near Washington ME

Washington ME vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into vet tech schools need to make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Washington ME.