How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Princeton Junction New Jersey

Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Princeton Junction NJ could initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting schools so that you can make the best selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. Once they have identified some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when evaluating vet technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make a final selection. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Princeton Junction NJ 

One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the Princeton Junction NJ veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Princeton Junction

An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Princeton Junction NJ veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for traveling and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. 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 classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Princeton Junction NJ Vet Tech Schools

By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Princeton Junction NJ area and across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select 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 rigorous screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Princeton Junction NJ area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Jersey school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Princeton Junction NJ veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Princeton Junction NJ veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Princeton Junction NJ veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low 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 Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Princeton Junction NJ colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Princeton Junction NJ home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, 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. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Princeton Junction NJ. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Princeton Junction NJ?

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

Pick the Best Vet Tech Program near Princeton Junction NJ

Selecting the ideal veterinary technician school is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Princeton Junction NJ.

Other Doggone Good Cities in New Jersey

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Garfield NJ

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Spotswood NJ

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Ocean Grove NJ

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Millburn NJ

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Ho Ho Kus NJ

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Vineland NJ

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Gloucester City NJ

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Cherry Hill NJ

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Monroeville NJ

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Lyons NJ