Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools East Parsonfield ME

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near East Parsonfield Maine

East Parsonfield ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near East Parsonfield ME could at first feel like a challenging task. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. After they have found some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in East Parsonfield ME

cat with cone after surgery in East Parsonfield ME Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the East Parsonfield ME veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and generally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required 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. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in East Parsonfield ME labs or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in East Parsonfield

student attending online vet tech school in East Parsonfield ME An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local East Parsonfield ME veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for commuting and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask East Parsonfield ME Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask East Parsonfield ME vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the East Parsonfield ME area and across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you select 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 rigorous review process that confirms 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 obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many East Parsonfield ME area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations 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, contact some East Parsonfield ME veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with East Parsonfield ME veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate might suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the East Parsonfield ME veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean 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 bigger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the East Parsonfield ME schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your East Parsonfield ME home, you need to make certain that the commuting 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, especially if the college is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near East Parsonfield ME. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near East Parsonfield ME?

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

Parsonsfield, Maine

Parsonsfield is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,898 at the 2010 census. Parsonsfield includes the villages of Kezar Falls, Parsonsfield, and North, East and South Parsonsfield. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.

This was part of a large tract of land sold on November 28, 1668 by Newichewannock Indian Chief Sunday (or Wesumbe) to Francis Small, a trader from Kittery. The price was two large Indian blankets, two gallons of rum, two pounds of gunpowder, four pounds of musket balls and twenty strings of Indian beads. Small then sold half his interest to Major Nicholas Shapleigh of what is now Eliot. In 1771, heirs sold the township to Thomas Parsons and 39 associates, upon which it was surveyed into 100-acre (0.40 km2) lots. Called Parsonstown Plantation, it was first settled in 1772 by 12 families.[4]

On August 29, 1785, the town was incorporated as Parsonsfield after Thomas Parsons, one of the largest proprietors. The Blazo-Leavitt House, a fine example of the Federal style, was built in 1812. Parsonsfield Seminary was founded in 1832 and closed in 1949.[5]

Choose the Right Veterinary Technician Program near East Parsonfield ME

East Parsonfield ME vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Students considering vet tech programs need to make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in East Parsonfield ME.