Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Dorchester MA

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near Dorchester Massachusetts

Dorchester MA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Dorchester MA might initially seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a school that will furnish the necessary 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 ideal selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. After they have found some area colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important factors when evaluating vet technician schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Dorchester MA

cat with cone after surgery in Dorchester MA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Dorchester MA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing 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 execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few 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 go through more extensive training compared with assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Dorchester MA laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Dorchester

student attending online vet tech school in Dorchester MA An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Dorchester MA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Dorchester MA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Dorchester MA vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Dorchester MA area and across the USA, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among 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 rigorous screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for many Dorchester MA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Massachusetts school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Dorchester MA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive 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 obtain clinical 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 Dorchester MA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Dorchester MA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not highly 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 get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Dorchester MA schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Dorchester MA home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the vet programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Dorchester MA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family issues. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Dorchester MA?

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

Dorchester, Boston

Dorchester (colloquially referred to as Dot)[3] is a Boston neighborhood comprising more than 6 square miles (16 km2) in the City of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Originally, Dorchester was a separate town, founded by Puritans who emigrated in 1630 from Dorchester, Dorset, England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. This dissolved municipality, Boston's largest neighborhood by far,[4] is often divided by city planners in order to create two planning areas roughly equivalent in size and population to other Boston neighborhoods.

Founded in 1630, just a few months before the founding of the city of Boston, Dorchester now covers a geographic area approximately equivalent to nearby Cambridge.[6] It was still a primarily rural town and had a population of 12,000 when it was annexed to Boston in 1870. Railroad and streetcar lines brought rapid growth, increasing the population to 150,000 by 1920. In the 2010 United States Census, the neighborhood's population was 92,115.

The Dorchester neighborhood has a very diverse population, which includes a large concentration of African Americans, European Americans (with large Irish American and Polish American immigrant populations), Caribbean Americans, Latinos, and East and Southeast Asian Americans. Dorchester also has a significant LGBT population, with active political groups and the largest concentration of same-sex couples in Boston after the South End and Jamaica Plain.[7] Most of the people over the age of 25 have completed high school or obtained a GED.[8]

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Dorchester MA

Dorchester MA vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician schools need to make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Dorchester MA.