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How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Lewiston Maine

Lewiston ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Lewiston ME could initially feel like a challenging task. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their residences. Once they have located some local schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant concerns when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are considering before you make a final choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Lewiston ME

cat with cone after surgery in Lewiston ME One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal factor 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 supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of tasks that they can carry out within the Lewiston ME veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from 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 specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing 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. Normally they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Lewiston ME laboratories or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Lewiston

student attending online vet tech school in Lewiston ME An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school 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 course of study is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Lewiston ME veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, such as for commuting and study materials, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. 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 mode, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Lewiston ME Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Lewiston ME vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Lewiston ME area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Lewiston ME area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Lewiston ME veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Lewiston ME veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate may mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Lewiston ME vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lewiston ME programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Lewiston ME home, you need to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinary programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lewiston ME. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lewiston ME?

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

Lewiston, Maine

Lewiston (/ˈluːɪstən/;[5] officially the City of Lewiston, Maine)[6] is the second largest city in Maine and the most central city in Androscoggin County.[7] The city borders the coastal sideways of the Gulf of Maine and is south of Augusta, the state's capital, and north of Portland, the cultural hub of Maine. It is one-half of the Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Statistical Area, commonly referred to as "L.A." or "L-A."[8] Lewiston exerts a significant impact upon the diversity, religious variety, commerce, education, and economic power of Maine. It is known for a relatively low cost of living, substantial access to medical care, and an extremely low violent-crime rate.[9][10] While the dominant language spoken in the city is English, it is home to the largest French-speaking population in the United States (by population) while it is second to St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, in percentage of speakers.[11][12][13]

The Lewiston area traces its roots to 1669 with the early presence of the Androscoggin tribe (the namesake of the county the city resides in). In the late 18th century, the area slowly became populated by Quebec families and was incorporated as "Lewistown" in 1795.[14] The presence of the Androscoggin River and Lewistown Falls made the town an attractive area for manufacturing and hydro-power businesses. The rise of Boston rail and textile tycoon Benjamin Bates saw rapid economic growth rivaling that of Cambridge, Worcester, and Concord. The increase in economic stimulus prompted thousands of Quebecers to migrate, causing a population boom; the populace rose from 1,801 in 1840 to 21,701 in 1890. In 1855, local preacher Oren Burbank Cheney founded the Maine State Seminary, the first coeducational university in New England and one of the first universities to admit black students before the Emancipation Proclamation. Lewistown quickly became associated with the liberal arts and was incorporated as "Lewiston" in 1864, a year before the college was chartered as Bates College.

The city is home to the only basilica in Maine, Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul; 15 colleges and universities; 44 listings on the National Register of Historic Places; the Androscoggin Bank Colisée; the Stephens Observatory; the Olin Arts Center; the Bates College Museum of Art (BCMoA); and two significant general hospitals: Central Maine Medical Center and Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center.

Enroll in the Right Veterinary Technician College near Lewiston ME

Lewiston ME vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech program is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Students thinking about vet tech programs need to make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, 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 provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lewiston ME.