Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Portsmouth NH

How to Find the Right Vet Tech Program near Portsmouth New Hampshire

Portsmouth NH vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Portsmouth NH may initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the right selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. After they have identified some area schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant concerns when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are looking at before you make a final choice. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the various roles of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Portsmouth NH

cat with cone after surgery in Portsmouth NH One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Portsmouth NH veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites 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 techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to assistants and typically obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. So the main 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, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Portsmouth

student attending online vet tech school in Portsmouth NH An option that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Portsmouth NH veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for traveling and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Portsmouth NH Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Portsmouth NH vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Portsmouth NH area and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a requirement for employment for many Portsmouth NH area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and contacting 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 pointer, phone some Portsmouth NH veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Portsmouth NH veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate may signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the Portsmouth NH veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly 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 in size, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Portsmouth NH schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Portsmouth NH home, you need 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or near 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 fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Portsmouth NH. Others might 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, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Portsmouth NH?

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

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Portsmouth is a city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, in the United States. It is the only city in the county, but only the fourth-largest community,[2] with a population of 21,233 at the 2010 census.[3] As of 2016 the estimated population was 21,485.[1] A historic seaport and popular summer tourist destination, Portsmouth was the home of the Strategic Air Command's Pease Air Force Base, later converted to Portsmouth International Airport at Pease with limited commercial air service.

American Indians of the Abenaki and other Algonquian languages-speaking nations, and their predecessors, inhabited the territory of coastal New Hampshire for thousands of years before European contact.

The first known European to explore and write about the area was Martin Pring in 1603. The Piscataqua River is a tidal estuary with a swift current, but forms a good natural harbor. The west bank of the harbor was settled by English colonists in 1630 and named Strawbery Banke, after the many wild strawberries growing there. The village was fortified by Fort William and Mary. Strategically located for trade between upstream industries and mercantile interests abroad, the port prospered. Fishing, lumber and shipbuilding were principal businesses of the region.[4]Enslaved Africans were imported as laborers as early as 1645 and were integral to building the city's prosperity.[5] Portsmouth was part of the Triangle Trade, which made significant profits from slavery.

Enroll in the Ideal Veterinary Technician College near Portsmouth NH

Portsmouth NH vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included 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 choosing the ideal program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Portsmouth NH.