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

Strafford NH vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Strafford NH might initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the ideal selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. After they have found some area colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important factors when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Strafford NH

cat with cone after surgery in Strafford NH Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Strafford NH veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and normally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet 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 typically takes 4 years. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may 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 Strafford NH laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Strafford

student attending online vet tech school in Strafford NH An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Strafford NH veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for commuting and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Strafford NH Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Strafford NH vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Strafford NH area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously 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 gone through a thorough review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Strafford NH area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Hampshire school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Strafford NH veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Strafford NH veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might indicate that the instructors 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 high placement rate may signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Strafford NH veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate 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 most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Strafford NH schools you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Strafford NH home, you need to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Strafford NH. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Strafford NH?

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

Strafford County, New Hampshire

Strafford County is a county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2010 census, the population was 123,143.[1] Its county seat is Dover.[2] Strafford County was one of the five original counties identified for New Hampshire in 1769. It was named after William Wentworth, 2nd Earl of Strafford in the mistaken belief that he was the ancestor of governor John Wentworth – although they were distantly related, William had no descendants. The county was organized at Dover in 1771. In 1840, the size of the original county was reduced with the creation of Belknap County. Strafford County constitutes a portion of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as of the greater Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT Combined Statistical Area.

Strafford County is in southeastern New Hampshire, separated from York County in the state of Maine by the Salmon Falls River. The southern part of the Salmon Falls, from Rollinsford to Dover, is a tidal river that flows into the Piscataqua River.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 384 square miles (990 km2), of which 369 square miles (960 km2) is land and 15 square miles (39 km2) (3.9%) is water.[3] It is the smallest county in New Hampshire by area.

Choose the Best Veterinary Technician School near Strafford NH

Strafford NH vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal vet tech school is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Students thinking about veterinary technician programs need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech programs 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 picking the ideal program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Strafford NH.