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How to Select a Vet Tech School near Lincoln New Hampshire

Lincoln NH vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Lincoln NH might initially seem like a challenging task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their homes. After they have identified some local colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Lincoln NH

cat with cone after surgery in Lincoln NH One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Lincoln NH veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice 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 veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian 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 engaged in more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Lincoln NH laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Lincoln

student attending online vet tech school in Lincoln NH An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Lincoln NH veterinarian clinic 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 traveling and study materials, can be lower 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 comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Lincoln NH Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Lincoln NH vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Lincoln NH area as well as across the United States, you must ask some relevant 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 already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Lincoln NH area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Hampshire school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Lincoln NH vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Lincoln NH veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Lincoln NH veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance 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. Find out from the Lincoln NH schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Lincoln NH home, you have to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or near a larger 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 higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges 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 in the evenings near Lincoln NH. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family issues. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lincoln NH?

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

Lincoln, New Hampshire

Lincoln is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. It is the second-largest town by area in New Hampshire. The population was 1,662 at the 2010 census.[1] The town is home to the New Hampshire Highland Games and to a portion of Franconia Notch State Park. Set in the White Mountains, large portions of the town are within the White Mountain National Forest. The Appalachian Trail crosses in the northeast. Lincoln is the location of the Loon Mountain ski resort and associated recreation-centered development.

The primary settlement in town, where 993 people resided at the 2010 census,[1] is defined as the Lincoln census-designated place (CDP) and is located along New Hampshire Route 112 east of Interstate 93. The town also includes the former village sites of Stillwater and Zealand (sometimes known as Pullman) in the town's remote eastern and northern sections respectively, which are now within the White Mountain National Forest.

In 1764, Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth granted 32,456 acres (131.34 km2) to a group of approximately 70 land investors from Connecticut. Lincoln was named after Henry Fiennes Pelham-Clinton, 2nd Duke of Newcastle, 9th Earl of Lincoln – a cousin of the Wentworth governors. He held the position of comptroller of customs for the port of London under George II and George III, which was important to trade between America and England.[2]

Enroll in the Best Vet Tech Program near Lincoln NH

Lincoln NH vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right vet tech school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into veterinary technician schools need to make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lincoln NH.