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How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near Temple New Hampshire

Temple NH vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Temple NH might at first feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the right choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. After they have located some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are considering before you make a final selection. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Temple NH

cat with cone after surgery in Temple NH One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Temple NH veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Temple NH laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Temple

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

What to Ask Temple NH Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Temple NH vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Temple NH area and across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier 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 gone through a thorough screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Temple NH area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating 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 complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Temple NH vet clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Temple NH veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Temple NH veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Temple NH programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Temple NH home, you must make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Temple NH. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Temple NH?

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

Temple, New Hampshire

Temple is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,366 at the 2010 census.[1] It is home to Temple Mountain State Reservation, and formerly home to Temple Mountain Ski Area.

The area was first called Peterborough Slip, which included what is now Sharon. In 1758, Maj. Ephraim Heald and his wife Sarah, moved to Temple, They, along with his brother, Dea. Peter Heald, and a cousin, Oliver Heald, were among the first settlers. Peter Heald is generally considered to be the founder of Temple, and his child, Peter, was the first white child born in the town.[2][3] In 1768, it was incorporated by colonial Governor John Wentworth, who named it after his lieutenant governor, John Temple.[4] The town of Temple, Maine was in turn named for it.[5] Temple Glassworks was founded here in 1780 by Robert Hewes of Boston. Although the company is long defunct, surviving examples of Temple glass are today rare and prized collectibles. By 1859, the town's population was 579, when Temple had two sawmills, one gristmill, and a tannery.[6]

Terrain is generally uneven and rocky. It is also elevated, commanding distant views to the east and south.[6] As John Farmer and Jacob Bailey Moore wrote in 1823, "From the highest point of elevation, twenty meetinghouses may be seen when the atmosphere is clear."[7]

Select the Right Vet Tech College near Temple NH

Temple NH vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students looking into veterinary technician schools must make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online schools 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 decision. And by picking the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Temple NH.