Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Lincolnville ME

How to Select a Vet Tech Program near Lincolnville Maine

Lincolnville ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Lincolnville ME may at first seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the right selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their homes. When they have found some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Lincolnville ME

cat with cone after surgery in Lincolnville ME Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Lincolnville ME veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental 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 complex duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years to complete. 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 options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required 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 urgent care. Many may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Lincolnville ME labs or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Lincolnville

student attending online vet tech school in Lincolnville ME An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Lincolnville ME veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Lincolnville ME Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Lincolnville ME vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree 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 vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Lincolnville ME area as well as across the Country, you must ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Lincolnville ME area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online 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 grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Lincolnville ME veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs established with Lincolnville ME veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate may suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Lincolnville ME vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Lincolnville ME schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Lincolnville ME home, you must make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a larger 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 fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Lincolnville ME. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lincolnville ME?

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

Lincolnville, Maine

Approximately 10,000 years ago, a glacier covered the area to a depth of several thousand feet, carving irregular landforms that survive today. The earliest artifact of European origin was fragments of a 1650-1660 clay pipe, probably a trade good with the native population. First settled in 1774, the town was incorporated in 1802 from Canaan and Ducktrap plantations. It was named for General Benjamin Lincoln, a Revolutionary War General and friend of Henry Knox.[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 43.65 square miles (113.05 km2), of which, 37.34 square miles (96.71 km2) is land and 6.31 square miles (16.34 km2) is water.[3] Located along the western side of Penobscot Bay, Lincolnville is drained by the Ducktrap River. Principle bodies of water include: Megunticook Lake, Norton Pond (123 acres), Coleman Pond (225 acres), Moody Pond (61 acres) and Levenseller Pond (34 acres).

The town is served by U.S. Route 1, Maine State Routes 173, 52 and 235. It is bordered by Belmont on the north, Northport on the northeast, Penobscot Bay on the east, Camden on the south, Hope on the west and Searsmont on the northwest.

Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Lincolnville ME

Lincolnville ME vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal veterinary technician school is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech colleges must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lincolnville ME.