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How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Exeter New Hampshire

Exeter NH vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Exeter NH might at first seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will furnish the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. When they have identified some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented 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 available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Exeter NH

cat with cone after surgery in Exeter NH One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of tasks that they can carry out within the Exeter NH veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and generally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years. Therefore 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 career opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Exeter NH laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Exeter

student attending online vet tech school in Exeter NH An option that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Exeter NH veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for traveling and study materials, may be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Exeter NH Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Exeter NH vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Exeter NH area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying 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 already mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Exeter NH area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Hampshire school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Exeter NH veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Exeter NH veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Exeter NH vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Exeter NH schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Exeter NH home, you need to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in 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 online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Exeter NH. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family issues. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Exeter NH?

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

Exeter, New Hampshire

Exeter is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The town's population was 14,306 at the 2010 census[1] and an estimated 15,082 in 2017.[2] Exeter was the county seat until 1997, when county offices were moved to neighboring Brentwood. Home to the Phillips Exeter Academy, a private university-preparatory school, Exeter is situated where the Exeter River feeds the tidal Squamscott River.

The area was once the domain of the Squamscott Native Americans, a sub-tribe of the Pennacook nation, which fished at the falls where the Exeter River becomes the tidal Squamscott, the site around which the future town of Exeter would grow. On April 3, 1638, the Reverend John Wheelwright and others purchased the land from Wehanownowit, the sagamore. Wheelwright had been exiled by the Massachusetts Bay Colony, a puritan theocracy, for sharing the dissident religious views of his sister-in-law, Anne Hutchinson. The minister took with him about 175 individuals to found the town he named after Exeter[3] in Devon, England. Local government was linked with Massachusetts until New Hampshire became a separate colony in 1679, but counties weren't introduced until 1769.

One of the four original townships in the province, Exeter originally included Newmarket, Newfields, Brentwood, Epping and Fremont. On July 4, 1639, 35 freemen of Exeter signed the Exeter Combination, a document written by Reverend Wheelwright to establish their own government.[4] The settlers hunted, planted and fished. Others tended cattle and swine, or made shakes and barrel staves.

Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technician School near Exeter NH

Exeter NH vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for animals. Students thinking about vet tech programs must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Exeter NH.