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How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Oakland Maine

Oakland ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Oakland ME may initially feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. After they have identified some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are considering before you make a final choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Oakland ME

cat with cone after surgery in Oakland 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 preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Oakland ME veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases 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 vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and usually earn 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 function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. 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 options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Oakland ME labs or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Oakland

student attending online vet tech school in Oakland ME An option that might 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. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. 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 clinical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Oakland ME veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for commuting and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Oakland ME Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Oakland ME vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Oakland ME area as well as across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that verifies you will get a quality 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 colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Oakland ME area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Oakland ME vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Oakland ME veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Oakland ME veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean 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 may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Oakland ME schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Oakland ME home, you must make sure 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, particularly if the college is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Oakland ME. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Oakland ME?

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

Oakland, Maine

Oakland is a town in Kennebec County in the U.S. state of Maine. The population was 6,240 at the 2010 census.[4] Gateway to the Belgrade Lakes region, Oakland is 4 miles (6 km) west of Waterville and approximately 18 miles (29 km) north of Augusta, the state capital.

Oakland was first settled in about 1780 by colonists of English descent from Massachusetts and New Hampshire. At that time, the region was known as Taconnet after Indian Chief Taconnet, an Abenaki sachem. It was incorporated by the Massachusetts General Court in 1771 as part of Winslow. In 1802, the area west of the Kennebec River was incorporated as Waterville. But manufacturers in the western section, who had created a separate center of industry and trade and were dissatisfied with its taxation, petitioned to have the district set off as a town. The Maine State Legislature complied, and on February 26, 1873 incorporated it as West Waterville. In 1883, it was renamed Oakland, presumably after all the oak trees in the town, though some favored the name Weldon.[5]

Farmers were attracted by the town's fertile soil for cultivation, grazing and dairy farming. Chief crops were hay, fruits and vegetables. Manufacturers were drawn because of the water power provided by the Messalonskee Stream. Before 1800, Jonathan Coombs built a sawmill and gristmill. The Androscoggin and Kennebec Railroad arrived in 1849, spurring Oakland to boom as a mill town. With several manufacturers of farm implements, it became known as the axe and scythe capital of New England. Other factories produced canned goods, tinware, carriages, furniture, tools, machinery, woolens, lumber, coffins, leather, boots and shoes. There was a granite quarry. In 1872, Oakland became the southern terminal of the Somerset Railroad, connecting first to North Anson, then to Bingham, and finally to Moosehead Lake.[6] But after economic changes, new businesses replaced the agricultural equipment industry, including Valley Distributors, Industrial Metal Recycling, Charlie's Log Cabin and Wrabacon.

Select the Best Veterinary Technician School near Oakland ME

Oakland ME vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right vet tech college is an important first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about vet tech schools must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Oakland ME.