Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Stonington ME

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Stonington Maine

Stonington ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Stonington ME could initially feel like a daunting task. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the right choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. After they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the various duties of vet techs and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Stonington ME

cat with cone after surgery in Stonington ME Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant 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 main factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Stonington ME veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, 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 veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally 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 work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Stonington ME labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Stonington

student attending online vet tech school in Stonington ME An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Stonington ME veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for commuting and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Stonington ME Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Stonington ME vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Stonington ME area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors 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 important that you verify that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, 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 rigorous screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Stonington ME area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Stonington ME veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Stonington ME veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships 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 veterinary technician college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Stonington ME vet community and has a considerable 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 Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Stonington ME colleges you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students regarding 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 Campus Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Stonington ME home, you need to make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or near a larger city. In addition, 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 charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Stonington ME. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Stonington ME?

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

Stonington, Maine

Stonington is a town in Hancock County, Maine, United States. Its located on the southern portion of the island of Deer Isle. The population was 1,043 at the 2010 census. It includes the villages of Burnt Cove, Oceanville, Green Head, and Clam City. A picturesque working waterfront and tranquil tourist destination in eastern Penobscot Bay, Stonington has consistently ranked among the top lobster ports in the county and is the largest lobster port in Maine. In 2011, 14,854,989 pounds of lobster were landed by Stonington fishermen with a value of $46.3 million.[4]

As far back as 6,100 years ago the first inhabitants of Deer Isle were Native Americans known as the Abenaki, speaking a language called Etchemin. One of the first Europeans to explore the area was Estevan Gomez, a Portuguese working for the Spanish Crown.[5] Gomez sailed his ship La Anunciada up the Eggemoggin Reach, amongst other places along the Maine coast, looking for gold and the Northwest Passage. It was the French, however, who would be the most active in the region. Establishing a fort at Castine and intermarrying with Abenaki natives. A body buried in full French armor was discovered on nearby Campbell Island (+44° 13' 20.03", -68° 36' 33.24", south of Oak Point).

The first white settler of Deer Isle was one William Eaton (b. 1720 Salisbury, Massachusetts, d. circa 1790 Seabrook, New Hampshire) and family, arriving on the island prior to August 4, 1762. They settled in an area now known as Scott's Landing (so named for the second owner of the property: Nathaniel Scott) located near the Deer Isle/Little Deer Isle Causeway By 1765, migration to Deer Isle had begun in earnest and Eaton, along with 16 other families, petitioned the governing state of Massachusetts for legal title to the land. The largest group of these first settlers came from Newburyport, Massachusetts and were mostly of Scottish and Irish descent.[6] Ironically, those settlers had come looking for a new life on the land, not the sea. A few cellar holes and foundation stones from the original homesteads can still be found at Scott's Landing and the land they cleared is still open. Settlers continued their southward migration on the island and eventually established the village of Green's Landing (as Stonington was initially known) after 1800.[7]

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician School near Stonington ME

Stonington ME vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech school is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician programs must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Stonington ME.