Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Bennington NH

How to Pick a Vet Tech School near Bennington New Hampshire

Bennington NH vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Bennington NH might initially feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. When they have identified some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when evaluating vet tech programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Bennington NH

cat with cone after surgery in Bennington NH Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Bennington NH veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed 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 veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training in contrast to assistants and generally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years. 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 career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Bennington NH labs or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Bennington

student attending online vet tech school in Bennington NH An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Bennington NH veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, such as for traveling and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Bennington NH Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Bennington NH vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Bennington NH area and across the USA, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Bennington NH area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the New Hampshire school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Bennington NH veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Bennington NH veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate could signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Bennington NH veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Bennington NH colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College 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 veterinary technician classes from your Bennington NH home, you need to confirm that the driving time is compatible with 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 school is located in or near 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 higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the veterinary programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Bennington NH. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Bennington NH?

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

Bennington, New Hampshire

The main village of the town, where 381 people resided at the 2010 census,[1] is defined as the Bennington census-designated place (CDP), and is located on the Contoocook River at the intersection of New Hampshire routes 31 and 47.

Situated in an area once called "Society Land", the town was formed from parts of Deering, Francestown, Greenfield and Hancock.[2] It was named to commemorate the 1777 Battle of Bennington, an American Revolutionary War battle fought in New York near Bennington, Vermont. The Vermont town in turn derived its name from New Hampshire governor Benning Wentworth. The town was incorporated in 1842.[2] The first census, taken in 1850, recorded 541 residents.

Located at the Great Falls of the Contoocook River, which drop 70 feet (21 m) over 1.2 miles (1.9 km), Bennington provided water power for mills. The first gristmill was built in 1782, with a cotton mill in 1810. A tannery and tool manufacturing industry would follow. A factory with paper-making machinery was established in 1835, located at or near the site of the present-day Monadnock Paper Mill. In 1858, the town's industries included a cutlery manufacturer, a gristmill, 2 paper mills and a sawmill. Bennington also had quite a number of farms.

Enroll in the Right Veterinary Technician College near Bennington NH

Bennington NH vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering vet tech schools need to make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Bennington NH.