Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Norridgewock ME

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Norridgewock Maine

Norridgewock ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Norridgewock ME could at first feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the best choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. After they have located some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when comparing vet technician programs, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at 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 roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Norridgewock ME

cat with cone after surgery in Norridgewock ME One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Norridgewock ME veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing 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 completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and generally 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 fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years. Therefore the main 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 required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Norridgewock

student attending online vet tech school in Norridgewock ME An option that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Norridgewock ME veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for travel and study materials, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Norridgewock ME Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Norridgewock ME vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Norridgewock ME area and across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Norridgewock ME area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you select must 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 assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Norridgewock ME veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Norridgewock ME veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Norridgewock ME vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify 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 bigger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Norridgewock ME programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students regarding 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? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Norridgewock ME home, you must make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located near or in 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 costs especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Norridgewock ME. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Norridgewock ME?

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

Norridgewock, Maine

Situated on the New England and Acadia border, which New France defined as the Kennebec River, the area was once territory of the Norridgewock Indians, a band of the Abenaki nation. Their village was located at Old Point, now part of Madison.[4]

English colonists suspected Father Sebastien Rale (or Rasle), the French missionary at the village since 1694, of abetting tribal hostilities against British settlements during the French and Indian Wars. During Father Rale's War, soldiers left Fort Richmond (now Richmond) in whaleboats until they reached Taconic Falls (now Winslow), then marched quietly to Norridgewock Village, arriving on August 23, 1724. Battle of Norridgewock was "sharp, short and decisive," leaving 26 warriors slain, 14 wounded and 150 survivors fleeing to Quebec, Canada. Father Rale was among the dead.[5]

The town was incorporated on June 18, 1788. It became county seat of Somerset County in 1809,[6] with a courthouse built in 1820 and remodeled in 1847, although the county seat would be moved to Skowhegan in 1871.[7] Wooden logs were floated down the Kennebec River. A sawmill was built to manufacture the region's abundant hardwoods, used in local factories to make carriages and furniture. Norridgewock also had a gristmill and granite works. Built in 1849 and replaced in 1929, the 600-foot (180 m) Norridgewock Covered Bridge across the Kennebec River was the second longest covered bridge in Maine after the 792-foot (241 m) Bangor Covered Bridge, which was built in 1846 across the Penobscot River to Brewer. The Eaton School was organized by Hamlin F. Eaton in 1856 and incorporated in 1874 "...for the promotion of literature, science and morality." Its Second Empire building, designed by architect Charles F. Douglas of Lewiston, later became Somerset Grange #18. In 1988, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[8]

Choose the Best Veterinary Technician School near Norridgewock ME

Norridgewock ME vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech school is an important first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students looking into vet tech programs need to make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work 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 essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Norridgewock ME.