Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Bangor ME - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near Bangor Maine

Bangor ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Bangor ME could at first feel like a challenging endeavor. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. When they have identified some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when assessing vet tech programs, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different duties of vet techs and the training options available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Bangor ME

cat with cone after surgery in Bangor ME One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire 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 main factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Bangor ME veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Bangor ME laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Bangor

student attending online vet tech school in Bangor ME An approach that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Bangor ME veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Bangor ME Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Bangor ME vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Bangor ME area and across the USA, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of 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 screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Bangor ME area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Bangor ME vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Bangor ME veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate may indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy 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 signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Bangor ME veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Bangor ME colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, 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 veterinary technician classes from your Bangor ME home, you must make certain 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located close by or within a larger city. Also, 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 charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Bangor ME. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Bangor ME?

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

Bangor, Maine

Bangor (/ˈbæŋɡɔːr/ BANG-gor) is a city in the U.S. state of Maine, and the county seat of Penobscot County. The city proper has a population of 33,039, while the Bangor metropolitan area has a population of 153,746.

Modern Bangor was established in the mid-1800s with the lumber and shipbuilding industries. Lying on the Penobscot River, logs could be floated downstream from the Maine North Woods and processed at the city's water-powered sawmills, then shipped from Bangor's port to the Atlantic Ocean 30 miles downstream, and from there to any port in the world. Evidence of this is still visible in the lumber barons' elaborate Greek Revival and Victorian mansions and the 31 foot high statue of Paul Bunyan. Today, Bangor's economy is based on services and retail, healthcare, and education.

Bangor has a port of entry at Bangor International Airport, also home to the Bangor Air National Guard Base. Historically Bangor was an important stopover on the great circle route air route between the U.S. East Coast and Europe.

Pick the Ideal Vet Tech School near Bangor ME

Bangor ME vet tech holding dog Picking the right vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Students looking into veterinary technician programs need to make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed 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 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 evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Bangor ME.