Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Clifton Springs NY

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near Clifton Springs New York

Clifton Springs NY vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Clifton Springs NY may at first feel like a daunting endeavor. After all, you must locate and enroll in a school that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. When they have located some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make a final decision. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Clifton Springs NY

cat with cone after surgery in Clifton Springs NY One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Clifton Springs NY veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. 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 involved with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training in contrast to assistants and generally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Clifton Springs NY laboratories or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Clifton Springs

student attending online vet tech school in Clifton Springs NY An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Clifton Springs NY veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech program may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Clifton Springs NY Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Clifton Springs NY vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Clifton Springs NY area and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose 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 screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Clifton Springs NY area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the New York school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Clifton Springs NY vet clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Clifton Springs NY veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied 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 high placement rate may signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Clifton Springs NY veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Clifton Springs NY colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some 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? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Clifton Springs NY home, you have to confirm 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, particularly if the campus is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in 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. Of course taking online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Clifton Springs NY. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Clifton Springs NY?

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

Clifton Springs, New York

The development of the area was slow until 1849, when Dr. Henry Foster came looking for a place to begin his water cure. Modern medicine was in its early stages, and it was thought that the sulphur waters together with a strong religious revival could restore many to active and useful lives. Sulphur Springs, as it was once called, was well known throughout the eastern part of the US because of this. Over the years, thousands of people came to enjoy the benefits of the water and rest and regain their health. Some famous people who visited the area were Elvis Presley, and Bette Davis' daughter. The area around the former sanitarium was designated the Clifton Springs Sanitarium Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.[1][2]

In March, 1917, a local convalescent and architect George Edward Barton assembled a small group of authorities from around the country to discuss the benefits of the "work cure", or the value of activity in promoting recovery. During that meeting, the profession of occupational therapy was born with the incorporation of what is now The American Occupational Therapy Association.[3] In 1968, a plaque was placed on Mr. Barton's home, known as Consolation House, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the profession. Between 1915-1921, Barton maintained Consolation House as a convalescent home employing therapeutic activity.[4]

Modern day Clifton Springs offers an excellent school system, modern hospital, YMCA, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and numerous other organizations, country club/golf course, national bank, library, senior citizen community, volunteer fire department, a park area, tennis courts, a skate park, shaded streets, a large manufacturing firm, and an active business section. In the summer months, the town participates in a business program dubbed "Super Sundays."

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech School near Clifton Springs NY

Clifton Springs NY vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right vet tech program is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Students considering vet tech schools need to make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Clifton Springs NY.