Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Fair Haven NY

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near Fair Haven New York

Fair Haven NY vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Fair Haven NY may initially feel like a daunting task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. After they have identified some area schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when evaluating vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Fair Haven NY

cat with cone after surgery in Fair Haven NY One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many jobs that they can perform within the Fair Haven NY veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and generally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally 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 differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Fair Haven NY laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Fair Haven

student attending online vet tech school in Fair Haven NY An approach that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Fair Haven NY veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for traveling and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm 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 clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Fair Haven NY Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Fair Haven NY vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Fair Haven NY area as well as across the Country, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for many Fair Haven NY area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the New York school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Fair Haven NY veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Fair Haven NY veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the Fair Haven NY veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Fair Haven NY colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Fair Haven NY home, you must confirm 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 in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Fair Haven NY. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Fair Haven NY?

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

Fair Haven, New York

Fair Haven is a village located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario in Cayuga County, New York, United States. The population was 745 at the 2010 census.[2] Fair Haven is within the town of Sterling and is northwest of Syracuse. The village is on Little Sodus Bay, an arm of Lake Ontario.

The village first gained prominence as a port on the south shore of Lake Ontario. The openings in the sand bars on Little Sodus Bay were widened and protected by jetties in the middle of the 19th century, thus improving the shipping capabilities of Fair Haven. The west pier was later marked with a wooden outer lighthouse with a fourth order Fresnel lens and 1n 1873 a light keepers house was built on shore which still stands. Sometime later an inner lighthouse was added.

The Southern Central Railroad served Fair Haven, from 1872 until 1887 when it was absorbed by the Lehigh Vally Railroad. Summer tourists arrived by rail from Auburn and other inland towns to enjoy the parks on the waterfront.which were known for having the very best sand beaches on Lake Ontario. The railroad also carried coal up from Athens, Pennsylvania to a 1500 foot wooden trestle built on the east shore of Little Sodus Bay. The coal was then loaded and shipped by sail freighter to Canada and Ice was harvested from the bay and shipped back by rail to New York City. The trestle was torn down in 1937 a year after the spur was abandoned. When its use as a port waned, the village continued to flourish as a prime recreational destination thanks to the new State Park. In the late 1920’s land acquisitions had begun for creation of Fair Haven Beach State Park with construction starting around 1930 using labor provided by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Little Red School House Museum located at 1294 State Route 104A, Sterling, New York preserves Fair Haven's Railroad heritage with two floors of exhibits and a functioning railroad hand pump car that visitors are welcome to ride.

Select the Best Vet Tech School near Fair Haven NY

Fair Haven NY vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech college is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students looking into vet tech schools must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Fair Haven NY.