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How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Dracut Massachusetts

Dracut MA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Dracut MA may at first seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their homes. Once they have found some local schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are considering before you make a final selection. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Dracut MA

cat with cone after surgery in Dracut MA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Dracut MA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and generally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically carry out the same work 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 options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Dracut

student attending online vet tech school in Dracut MA An approach that might 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 program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Dracut MA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for commuting and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Dracut MA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Dracut MA vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Dracut MA area and across the USA, you need to ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, 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 a demanding screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Dracut MA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Massachusetts school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Dracut MA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Dracut MA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Dracut MA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Dracut MA 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 monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Dracut MA home, you must make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, 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 in or near a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Dracut MA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family issues. You might find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Dracut MA?

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

Dracut, Massachusetts

Before Europeans arrived in the mid-17th century, Dracut and the surrounding area were known as "Augumtoocooke". Important Pennacook Indian settlements were served by fishing at Pawtucket Falls on the Merrimack River and abundant game in the surrounding marsh areas.[1] From the late 16th to mid-17th centuries, the powerful sachem Passaconaway and his family spent much of their lives on this land.

Europeans began to settle in the area around 1653, and established the town of Chelmsford, incorporated in 1655, on the opposite side of the Merrimack River from modern Dracut. In October 1665, Bess, wife of Nobb How and daughter of Passaconaway, sold the Augumtoocooke land to Captain John Evered, also known as Webb of Draucutt of Norfolk County (the Webb family is associated closely with the town of Dreycott Folliott in Wiltshire, England[2]) for four yards of Duffill and one pound of tobacco.[1] Webb had months earlier sold 11,000 acres (45 km2) of the land — which he did not then own — to Samuel Varnum for 400 four hundred pounds; the deed for "Drawcutt upon Mirrimack" was dated 1664.[3] Webb also sold land to Richard Shatswell, who traded it to Edward Colburn (also spelled "Coburn" or "Colborne") for his home and land in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Colburn and his family were probably the first settlers in Dracut who owned land with the intention of permanently living on it. (Samuel Varnum lived on the Chelmsford side of the Merrimack River.)[4][5][6]

Even though this area, now known to the new settlers as Dracut (Draucutt), was across the Merrimack River from the Chelmsford town center, they agreed to pay taxes and relied on Chelmsford for protection, according to 1667 Middlesex Court documents.[7] By summer 1669, however, protection became too costly and difficult, so the Chelmsford Mayor Henchman declared:

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician School near Dracut MA

Dracut MA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right vet tech school is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students looking into veterinary technician colleges 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 take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the right college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Dracut MA.