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How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Dexter Maine

Dexter ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Dexter ME might at first feel like a challenging endeavor. After all, you must search for 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 evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their residences. Once they have found some area schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important factors when assessing vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied duties of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Dexter ME

cat with cone after surgery in Dexter ME One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Dexter ME veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. 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 police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases 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 vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and typically acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably 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 vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Dexter

student attending online vet tech school in Dexter ME An approach that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Dexter ME veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for instance for commuting and study materials, can be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech program may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Dexter ME Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Dexter ME vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Dexter ME area and across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Dexter ME area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements 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 department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Dexter ME vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Dexter ME veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Dexter ME veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Dexter ME programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Dexter ME home, you have to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Dexter ME. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Dexter ME?

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

Dexter, Maine

Dexter is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,895 at the 2010 census.[4] It is part of the Bangor metropolitan statistical area. Dexter Regional High School, which serves Dexter as well as other nearby small towns, is located in the town.

Dexter was settled beginning in 1801 by Ebenezer Small, David Smith, and others from New Hampshire, and was originally called Elkinstown. When incorporated as a town in 1816, it named itself after Judge Samuel Dexter,[5] who was then running for governor of Massachusetts (of which Maine was still a part). The town of Brooks in nearby Waldo County was incorporated the same year and named for the opposing candidate, John Brooks. Brooks won the election. The town of Dexter, however, achieved the greater prosperity.[6]

The town grew because of its location on the East Branch of the Sebasticook River, which provided excellent water power for mills. In 1818, Jonathan Farrar constructed a grist mill at the falls. The Dexter Historical Society today uses the building which replaced it in 1854 as part of its museum complex. The stream would also power five woolen mills, the oldest and largest of which was established by Amos and Jeremiah Abbott in 1836. Amos Abbott & Company, which closed in 1975, was the only textile mill in the United States owned by one family for such a long period.[7] In the 1960s, the town's name became familiar throughout New England because of the pervasive log cabin style factory outlets of the Dexter Shoe Company, founded in a vacant Dexter woolen mill in 1958 by Harold Alfond.[8]

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Dexter ME

Dexter ME vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about vet tech colleges must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Dexter ME.