Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Orangeburg NY

How to Select a Veterinary Technician Program near Orangeburg New York

Orangeburg NY vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Orangeburg NY may initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the best choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their homes. Once they have found some area colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only important 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 considering before you make a final choice. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training options available.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Orangeburg NY

cat with cone after surgery in Orangeburg NY One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant 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 primary determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Orangeburg NY veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians 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 Orangeburg NY laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Orangeburg

student attending online vet tech school in Orangeburg NY An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Orangeburg NY veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for travel and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Orangeburg NY Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Orangeburg NY vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinary degree that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Orangeburg NY area as well as across the United States, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 demanding screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Orangeburg NY area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian 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 tips include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New York school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Orangeburg NY veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective 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 arranged with Orangeburg NY veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Orangeburg NY veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Orangeburg NY schools you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Orangeburg NY home, you must make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located near or in a larger city. Also, 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 especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible 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 Orangeburg NY. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Orangeburg NY?

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

Orangeburg, New York

Orangeburg is a hamlet and census-designated place, in the town of Orangetown, Rockland County, New York, United States. It is located north of Tappan, south of Blauvelt, east of Pearl River, and west of Piermont. The population was 4,568 at the 2010 census.[1]

Orangeburg was home to Camp Shanks, known as "Last Stop USA," the largest World War II Army embarkation camp. 1.3 million US service personnel en route to Europe were processed at a sprawling camp that covered most of the town.[3] The hamlet is also home to what was once one of the world's largest psychiatric hospitals, Rockland Psychiatric Center, formerly called Rockland State Hospital. Orangeburg pipe was once manufactured here. Before plastic pipes, it was the standard alternative to metal pipes, especially for sewer and outdoor drainage applications.

After World War II, even through it lies only 19 miles (31 km) north of New York City, Orangeburg was a very rural place with few residents, many of whom lived quite modestly in former soldiers' housing. That lasted until the late 1950s when developers introduced modern suburban housing to young couples who saw them as a great alternative to city living. Today, Orangeburg is a suburb of New York City with housing values that belie its modest past.

Pick the Best Vet Tech Program near Orangeburg NY

Orangeburg NY vet tech holding dog Picking the right vet tech program is an important first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, 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 reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Orangeburg NY.