Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Palenville NY

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near Palenville New York

Palenville NY vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Palenville NY might initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a program that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. After they have found some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important factors when assessing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Palenville NY

cat with cone after surgery in Palenville NY One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main determiner will probably 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 licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many tasks that they can carry out within the Palenville NY veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing 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 completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and typically earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex duties, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Palenville NY labs or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Palenville

student attending online vet tech school in Palenville NY An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Palenville NY veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Palenville NY Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Palenville NY vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Palenville NY area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need 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 should ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, one of 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 receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Palenville NY area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New York school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Palenville NY veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Palenville NY veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Palenville NY veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Palenville NY programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Palenville NY home, you have to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Palenville NY. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Palenville NY?

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

Palenville, New York

Palenville is in the southwest part of the town of Catskill, located at the junction of Routes 23A and 32A. It lies at the foot of Kaaterskill Clove, at the base of the Catskill Mountains. Kaaterskill Creek, exiting the Clove, runs through the town, and was spanned by a swinging footbridge, destroyed during Tropical Storm Irene. The creek provides a number of swimming holes in the summer months, and the Long Path runs through the town.

With many waterfalls and natural vistas nearby, Palenville was an important center of the Hudson River School of painting during the 19th century. Thomas Cole, Frederic Church, and other notable painters stayed and worked in Palenville during the height of the movement. The famous painting Kindred Spirits depicts Cole and William Cullen Bryant near Kaaterskill Falls, just uphill from the town. The famous Catskill Mountain House was also located just outside Palenville. Palenville was the fictional home of Rip Van Winkle.

With the coming of the twentieth century, the large boarding houses of the mountain top started to close, but Palenville and the surroundings were often visited by city dwellers. Palenville was one of the Catskills' vacation resorts, hosting nearly two dozen small and medium-sized boarding houses and many hotels at the turn of the century. Palenville, Kaaterskill Creek, and Kaaterskill Clove have been subjects for several painters, including those listed above.

Select the Ideal Vet Tech School near Palenville NY

Palenville NY vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician schools must make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online schools 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 selecting the ideal program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Palenville NY.