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

Troy NY vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Troy NY could at first seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you have to find and enroll in a college that will provide the necessary training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. After they have located some area colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important factors when assessing vet tech programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Troy NY

cat with cone after surgery in Troy NY One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you want 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 devote to your training, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many jobs that they can perform within the Troy NY veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. 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 associated with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. 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, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Troy

student attending online vet tech school in Troy NY An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Troy NY veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Troy NY Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Troy NY vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Troy NY area as well as across the USA, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech school you choose 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). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for a number of Troy NY area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking 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 relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Troy NY veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Troy NY veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Troy NY veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean 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 bigger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Troy NY schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Troy NY home, you have to confirm that the commuting 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 college is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you find out if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Troy NY. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Troy NY?

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

Troy, New York

Troy is a city in the U.S. state of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. The city is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital District. The city is one of the three major centers for the Albany Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which has a population of 1,170,483. At the 2010 census, the population of Troy was 50,129. Troy's motto is Ilium fuit. Troja est, which means "Ilium was, Troy is".[3]

Today, Troy is home to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the oldest private engineering and technical university in the USA, founded in 1824. Due to the confluence of major waterways and a geography that supported water power, the American industrial revolution took hold in this area making Troy reputedly the fourth wealthiest city in America around the turn of the 20th century. Troy, therefore, is noted for a wealth of Victorian architecture downtown and elaborate private homes in various neighborhoods. Several churches boast a concentrated collection of stained glass windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Troy is also home to the world renowned "Troy Music Hall", officially, the "Troy Savings Bank Music Hall" dating from the 1870s, which is said to have superb acoustics in a combination of restored and well preserved performance space.

The area had long been occupied by the Mahican Indian tribe, but Dutch settlement began in the mid 17th century. The patroon Kiliaen van Rensselaer called the region Pafraets Dael, after his mother. The Dutch colony was conquered by the English in 1664, and in 1707 Derick Van der Heyden purchased a farm near today's downtown area. In 1771, Abraham Lansing had his farm in today's Lansingburgh laid out into lots. Sixteen years later, Van der Heyden's grandson Jacob had his extensive holdings surveyed and laid out into lots, naming the new village Vanderheyden.

Pick the Ideal Vet Tech College near Troy NY

Troy NY vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right vet tech program is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their determination based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as 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 applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Troy NY.