Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Blairstown NJ

How to Find the Right Vet Tech School near Blairstown New Jersey

Blairstown NJ vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Blairstown NJ could at first feel like a challenging endeavor. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. After they have identified some local schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important factors when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Blairstown NJ

cat with cone after surgery in Blairstown NJ Among 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 might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Blairstown NJ veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast 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 veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Blairstown

student attending online vet tech school in Blairstown NJ An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Blairstown NJ veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for example for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Blairstown NJ Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Blairstown NJ vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Blairstown NJ area and across the Country, you need to ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, 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 demanding review process that verifies 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 programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Blairstown NJ area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the New Jersey school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Blairstown NJ veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Blairstown NJ veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate may signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Blairstown NJ veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Blairstown NJ programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Blairstown NJ home, you must confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Blairstown NJ. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Blairstown NJ?

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

Blairstown, New Jersey

Blairstown is a township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 5,967[8][9][10] reflecting an increase of 220 (+3.8%) from the 5,747 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 416 (+7.8%) from the 5,331 counted in the 1990 Census.[19]

The area had been known as Smith's Mill and was later called Butts Bridge (variously spelled as "Butt's Bridge" and "Butts' Bridge"), named for a family that owned the eponymous crossing of the Paulins Kill.[20]

Blairstown was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 14, 1845, from portions of Knowlton Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day.[21] The township was named for John Insley Blair.[22][23]

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Blairstown NJ

Blairstown NJ vet tech holding dog Choosing the right veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Students considering vet tech programs need to make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle 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 excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Blairstown NJ.