How to Enroll In a Vet Tech Program near East Andover Maine
Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near East Andover ME might at first seem like a challenging task. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. After they have located some local colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when comparing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied roles of vet techs and the training options available.
The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in East Andover ME
Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can perform within the East Andover ME veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.
- Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from 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 completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
- Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main distinction 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, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in East Andover ME labs or research facilities also.
Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in East Andover
An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local East Andover ME veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for instance for commuting and study supplies, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask East Andover ME Vet Tech Programs
By now you should have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the East Andover ME area as well as across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of East Andover ME area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with 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 infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some East Andover ME veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with East Andover ME veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the East Andover ME vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the East Andover ME programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your East Andover ME home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, 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 especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near East Andover ME. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your active life.
Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near East Andover ME?
If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the East Andover Maine area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.
Andover, Maine
Andover is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 821 at the 2010 census. Set among mountains and crossed by the Appalachian Trail, Andover was home to the Andover Earth Station (now demolished) and Lovejoy Covered Bridge (extant).
The land which became known as Andover was originally purchased in 1788 by a group of proprietors mostly from Andover, Massachusetts. The original proprietors were Thomas Poor of Methuen, Massachusetts; Jonathan Abbot, Benjamin Poor, Ebenezer Adams, Ingalls Bragg, Theodore Stevens, Samuel Farnum, Philip Abbott, Samuel Johnson, Abiel Lovejoy, and Eben Poor, Jr. all of Andover, Massachusetts; Joseph Frye of Fryeburg, Maine; and John York, Ezekiel Merrill, and Josiah Bean of Bethel, Maine. The town was first settled in 1789 by Ezekiel Merrill and his family who were transported there from Bethel, Maine in canoes managed by members of the local Pequawket tribe. The first saw-mill was built on the East Branch of the Ellis River by Col. Thomas Poor in 1791 and was used to provide the lumber for the still standing Merrill-Poor House.[4]
Early occupations included agriculture and lumbering. As the town developed, factories made doors, sash, blinds, starch, cheese, boots and shoes, edge-tools, carriages and harness. It also had a tannery. Located on an intervale surrounded by mountains, Andover was noted for "its grand and beautiful scenery," with streams abounding in trout. After the Civil War, the town became a popular destination for sportsmen, especially fishermen attracted by the nearby Richardson Lakes. A hotel was built to accommodate the influx of tourists.[6]
Select the Best Vet Tech School near East Andover ME
Selecting the appropriate vet tech program is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician schools must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties 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 programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in East Andover ME.
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