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How to Select a Vet Tech School near Athens Maine

Athens ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Athens ME may initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the right selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. Once they have identified some area schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when comparing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Athens ME

cat with cone after surgery in Athens ME Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many functions that they can perform within the Athens ME veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice 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 complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and typically acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet technicians 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 Athens ME labs or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Athens

student attending online vet tech school in Athens ME An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Athens ME veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for commuting and study materials, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Athens ME Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Athens ME vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Athens ME area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Athens ME area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Athens ME veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Athens ME veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Athens ME vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Athens ME schools you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously talked about 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 Athens ME home, you need to make certain 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 near or in a larger 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 higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Athens ME. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Athens ME?

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

Athens, Maine

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,019 people, 391 households, and 270 families residing in the town. The population density was 23.4 inhabitants per square mile (9.0/km2). There were 577 housing units at an average density of 13.2 per square mile (5.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.4% White, 0.2% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 391 households of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.9% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.99.

The median age in the town was 40.4 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 29.9% were from 45 to 64; and 12.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

Select the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Athens ME

Athens ME vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet tech programs need to make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Athens ME.