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How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near Andover New Hampshire

Andover NH vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Andover NH might at first feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the right choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. Once they have located some area schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when assessing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Andover NH

cat with cone after surgery in Andover NH Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be based 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 appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many duties that they can carry out within the Andover NH veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a structured 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 technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also 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 emergency care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Andover NH laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Andover

student attending online vet tech school in Andover NH An approach that may be a solution 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 offered via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Andover NH veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for travel and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more traditional 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 courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Andover NH Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Andover NH vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinary degree that you would like 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 Andover NH area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help 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 already mentioned other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many Andover NH area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the New Hampshire school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Andover NH vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Andover NH veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Andover NH vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Andover NH schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. 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 methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Andover NH home, you have to make certain 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Andover NH. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Andover NH?

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

Andover, New Hampshire

Andover is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,371 at the 2010 census.[1] Andover includes the villages of Cilleyville, Potter Place, East Andover, and West Andover, in addition to the town center. The town is home to Ragged Mountain State Forest and Proctor Academy, a private coeducational preparatory school.

Settled in 1761, the town was originally named "Emerisstown".[2] In 1746 it was granted to Edward Brown and others as "New Breton"[3] or "New Britton",[4] having been granted primarily to soldiers who had taken part in the 1745 capture of Cape Breton during hostilities with the French in Canada. Among those soldiers was their regimental surgeon, Dr. Anthony Emery, a friend of Samuel Phillips, Jr., who in 1778 founded the Phillips Andover Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. "New Breton" would be incorporated as "Andover" in 1779, the year Phillips Andover was completed.

In 1822, an academy was established in Andover, although it would close in 1828. Another school was founded in 1848 that would become Proctor Academy, the prestigious institution around which the town's economy is based. Andover is noted for its antique shops, Greek Revival architecture, and two covered bridges. Potter Place Railroad Station, built in 1874 by the Northern Railroad,[5] is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and today serves as a museum for the Andover Historical Society.

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician College near Andover NH

Andover NH vet tech holding dog Choosing the right veterinary technician school is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech programs must make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Andover NH.