Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Huntington MA

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Huntington Massachusetts

Huntington MA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Huntington MA could at first feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must find and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. When they have identified some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Huntington MA

cat with cone after surgery in Huntington MA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Huntington MA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal responsibilities 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 in contrast to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years. So the main distinction 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, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Huntington

student attending online vet tech school in Huntington MA An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Huntington MA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for traveling and study materials, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Huntington MA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Huntington MA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Huntington MA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. 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 demanding review process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Huntington MA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Massachusetts school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Huntington MA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Huntington MA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college may 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 reviewing. A low rate may signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Huntington MA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Huntington MA schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Huntington MA home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the vet schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Huntington MA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Huntington MA?

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

Huntington, Massachusetts

Originally Plantation Number 9 by the Court of Massachusetts Bay, Huntington has a colorful history, hinted at by the town's incorporation date of March 5, 1855, decades later than the towns around it. The town was assembled from pieces of surrounding towns, which were grafted onto the towns of Norwich, Murrayfield, and Knightville. The present village center sits on what was the meeting point of three towns and two counties. The location of the village created a tangle of jurisdictional confusion. With the coming of the railroad in the 1840s and the expansion of industry and population that came with it, the political difficulties that the boundaries presented became untenable.

The solution that resulted in the present town was crafted by a Northampton attorney named Charles Huntington. Once the new town was incorporated, Mr. Huntington presented it with a gift that was the foundation of the town's library. After some discussion, the newly formed town voted to adopt the name of "Huntington", in honor of its recent architect and benefactor.

Huntington is in southwestern Hampshire County, bordered to the south and west by towns in Hampden County. The Westfield River runs through the town, joined by its West Branch at the village of Huntington in the southern part of the town. U.S. Route 20 follows the lower Westfield River and its West Branch through the town, leading southeast 12 miles (19 km) to the city of Westfield and northwest 23 miles (37 km) to Lee.

Choose the Right Vet Tech School near Huntington MA

Huntington MA vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate vet tech college is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students looking into vet tech programs must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Huntington MA.