Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Chittenden VT

How to Find the Right Vet Tech School near Chittenden Vermont

Chittenden VT vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Chittenden VT could at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the best selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have identified some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important factors when evaluating vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the different duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Chittenden VT

cat with cone after surgery in Chittenden VT Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Chittenden VT veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and normally earn a two 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 function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or administering 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 basically perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Chittenden

student attending online vet tech school in Chittenden VT An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Chittenden VT veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for traveling and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech school may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Chittenden VT Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Chittenden VT vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Chittenden VT area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among 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 review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for many Chittenden VT area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Vermont school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Chittenden VT vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some schools 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 considering have internship programs established with Chittenden VT veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate may indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the Chittenden VT vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Chittenden VT programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Chittenden VT home, you need to make sure 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, 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 fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the vet colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Chittenden VT. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Chittenden VT?

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

Chittenden County, Vermont

Chittenden County (/ˈtʃɪtəndən/) is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of the 2010 census, the population was 156,545.[1] The county's population estimate for 2016 was 161,531. Its shire town (seat) is Vermont's most populous municipality, the city of Burlington. The county has over a quarter of Vermont's population and more than twice the population of Vermont's second most populous county, Rutland. The county also has more than twice the population density of Vermont's second most dense county, Washington. The county is named for Vermont's first governor and one of the framers of its constitution as an independent republic and later U.S. state, Thomas Chittenden.

The county has most of Vermont's fastest growing municipalities. It is one of the three counties that comprise the Burlington metropolitan area, along with the counties of Franklin and Grand Isle to the north and northwest, respectively. The University of Vermont (UVM), Vermont's largest university, is located in the county, as well as its affiliated hospital, the UVM Medical Center (which is Vermont's largest hospital). Vermont's largest private employer (GlobalFoundries) and largest airport (Burlington International Airport) are in the localities of Essex Junction and South Burlington, respectively.

The Vermont Army National Guard is based at Camp Johnson in the town of Colchester. The Vermont Air National Guard is based at the Burlington Air National Guard Base on the grounds of the Burlington International Airport in South Burlington.

Choose the Ideal Vet Tech College near Chittenden VT

Chittenden VT vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal vet tech program is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about veterinary technician programs need to make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Chittenden VT.