Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Park Ridge NJ

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Park Ridge New Jersey

Park Ridge NJ vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Park Ridge NJ could initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. When they have found some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Park Ridge NJ

cat with cone after surgery in Park Ridge NJ One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Park Ridge NJ veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and typically acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Park Ridge NJ laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Park Ridge

student attending online vet tech school in Park Ridge NJ An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Park Ridge NJ veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for traveling and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make sure 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 clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Park Ridge NJ Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Park Ridge NJ vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Park Ridge NJ area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Park Ridge NJ area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin 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 online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the New Jersey school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Park Ridge NJ vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Park Ridge NJ veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical 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 Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate could signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Park Ridge NJ vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Park Ridge NJ programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Park Ridge NJ home, you must make certain that the commuting 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, particularly if the school is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Park Ridge NJ. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Park Ridge NJ?

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

Park Ridge, New Jersey

Park Ridge is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. Park Ridge had a population of 8,645 as of the 2010 United States Census,[8][9][9] reflecting a decline of 63 (-0.7%) from the 8,708 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 606 (+7.5%) from the 8,102 counted in the 1990 Census.[19]

Park Ridge was created as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 15, 1894, from portions of Washington Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.[20] The borough was formed during the "Boroughitis" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, in which 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone.[21] Park Ridge obtained a portion of River Vale (July 15, 1929), exchanged portions with Woodcliff Lake (December 12, 1955), received part of Washington Township (November 26, 1956), exchanged portions with Hillsdale (February 10, 1958) and Woodcliff Lake (June 9, 1958) and received another part of Washington Township (August 11, 1958).[20] The borough's name derives from its location.[22]

Park Ridge's Pascack Historical Society Museum, at 19 Ridge Avenue, houses the world's only wampum drilling machine. This wooden artifact was made in Park Ridge by the Campbell Brothers who invented a way to drill through long pieces of hair pipe shells so that they could be strung and worn as breast plates by the Plains Indians, among others. Needing water for the operation, the industrious brothers leased a woolen mill that stood on the Pascack Brook. When that burned down they built their own mill farther down Pascack Creek on their land another shop on Pascack Road near their homestead. Both building housed drilling machines on their second floors where they were safe from prying eyes, as the two machines had not been patented. In the early 19th century, John Jacob Astor purchased wampum from the Campbells to trade with the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest whose beaver pelts he turned into men's hats.[23] The best years for the wampum business were between 1835 and 1866. The drilling machine can be seen at the Pascack Historical Society Museum on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until noon and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. Admission is free.

Enroll in the Right Veterinary Technician College near Park Ridge NJ

Park Ridge NJ vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech schools must make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Park Ridge NJ.