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How to Pick a Vet Tech School near Suffern New York

Suffern NY vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Suffern NY may at first feel like a daunting task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach assessing and contrasting programs so that you can make the best choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their residences. When they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Suffern NY

cat with cone after surgery in Suffern NY One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many tasks that they can perform within the Suffern NY veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a formal 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 techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and generally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. Therefore 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 opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Suffern

student attending online vet tech school in Suffern NY An option that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Suffern NY veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Suffern NY Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Suffern NY vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you intend 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 Suffern NY area as well as across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Suffern NY area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin 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 online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the New York school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Suffern NY veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Suffern NY veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate may indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Suffern NY veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded 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 get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Suffern NY schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students regarding 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? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Suffern NY home, you have to confirm 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, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Suffern NY. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Suffern NY?

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

Suffern, New York

"The Point of the Mountains" or "Sidman's Clove" were names used in designating the present village of Suffern before the American Revolution. The area originally was inhabited by the Ramapough, a tribe of Munsee, who were a division of the great Lenape nation. Upon Sidman's death this land passed into the hands of his son-in-law, John Smith, who sold it to John Suffern.

The village of Suffern was founded in 1796. John Suffern, first Rockland County judge, 1798–1806, settled near the base of the Ramapo Mountains in 1773, and called the place New Antrim, after his home in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, where his Huguenot ancestors had settled. New Antrim's location was considered strategically important in the Revolutionary War due to its location at an important crossroads near Ramapo Pass. General George Washington and other important military leaders used John Suffern's home as headquarters when they were in the area.

Suffern is part of the Washington–Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail under the auspices of the National Park Service.[3][4] This trail commemorates the route followed by General Washington and the French Comte de Rochambeau as they traveled to the siege of Yorktown, Virginia, which led to the end of America's War of Independence.

Select the Best Vet Tech Program near Suffern NY

Suffern NY vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Suffern NY.