Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools South Portland ME

How to Pick a Vet Tech Program near South Portland Maine

South Portland ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near South Portland ME may initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle assessing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the ideal choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. When they have identified some local colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when comparing vet tech programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in South Portland ME

cat with cone after surgery in South Portland ME One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many jobs that they can perform within the South Portland ME veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a formal 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 technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and typically obtain a 2 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 basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required 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 emergency care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in South Portland ME laboratories or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in South Portland

student attending online vet tech school in South Portland ME An approach that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local South Portland ME veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for example for commuting and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask South Portland ME Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask South Portland ME vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the South Portland ME area as well as across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many South Portland ME area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some South Portland ME veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with South Portland ME veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy 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 indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the South Portland ME vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the South Portland ME schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students concerning 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 Campus Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your South Portland ME home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an option 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 vet programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near South Portland ME. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near South Portland ME?

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

South Portland, Maine

South Portland is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, United States, and is the fourth-largest city in the state, incorporated in 1898. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 25,002. Known for its working waterfront, South Portland is situated on Portland Harbor and overlooks the skyline of Portland and the islands of Casco Bay. Due to South Portland's close proximity to air, marine, rail, and highway transportation options, the city has become a center for retail and industry in the region.

Despite the name, South Portland was never part of the city of Portland, but rather part of Cape Elizabeth. It broke off in 1895. However, both Cape Elizabeth and Portland were once part of Falmouth. Cape Elizabeth, then including what later became South Portland, broke away from Falmouth in 1765. South Portland is a principal city of the Portland – South Portland – Biddeford metropolitan area.

South Portland was first settled in 1630, and it grew to become a small residential community with many farms. The village was raided by natives in Father Rale's War (1724). In 1858, the City of Portland purchased land near the Fore River for the Forest City Cemetery. On March 15, 1895, it was incorporated as a town after it broke away from Cape Elizabeth, based on a disagreement on a future source of public drinking water. Three years later South Portland became a city, destined to receive its drinking water, like Portland, from Sebago Lake, while Cape Elizabeth used wells or other local sources.

Select the Best Vet Tech College near South Portland ME

South Portland ME vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech school is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into vet tech colleges must make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in South Portland ME.