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How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Thomaston Maine

Thomaston ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Thomaston ME may at first feel like a daunting task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a school that will furnish the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the best choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. Once they have located some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when assessing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied roles of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Thomaston ME

cat with cone after surgery in Thomaston ME Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Thomaston ME veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training in contrast to assistants and generally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more involved functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years to complete. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Thomaston

student attending online vet tech school in Thomaston ME An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Thomaston ME veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. 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 courses 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 veterinary technician program may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Thomaston ME Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Thomaston ME vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Thomaston ME area as well as across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms 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 frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Thomaston ME area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance 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 complaints or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Thomaston ME vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Thomaston ME veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate may suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Thomaston ME vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement 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. Solicit from the Thomaston ME programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Thomaston ME home, you need to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly 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 necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Thomaston ME. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family issues. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Thomaston ME?

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

Thomaston, Maine

Thomaston (formerly known as Fort St. Georges, Fort Wharf, Lincoln) is a town in Knox County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,781 at the 2010 census. Noted for its antique architecture, Thomaston is an old port popular with tourists.

As early as 1630, a trading post was established on the eastern bank of the St. George River, then considered the boundary between New England and New France. In 1704, Thomas LeFebvre from Quebec bought a large tract of land along the Weskeag River on which he built a gristmill, with a house on the shoreline at what is now South Thomaston. The area became known as Thomas' Town.[4] In 1719–1720, the old trading post was remodeled into Fort St. George, a stockaded fort protected by two blockhouses. But Abenaki Indian tribes protested the encroachment of an English fort on their territory. Instigated by the French, they attacked the garrison twice during Dummer's War in 1722, then again in 1723 with a siege lasting 30 days. In response to this and other provocations, soldiers destroyed the Abenaki stronghold of Norridgewock in 1724.

During the French and Indian War, to avenge for the fall of Louisbourg, on August 13, 1758 French officer Boishebert left Miramichi, New Brunswick with 400 soldiers for Fort St George (Thomaston, Maine).[5] His detachment reached there on September 9 but was caught in an ambush and had to withdraw. This was Boishébert's last Acadian expedition.[6] They then went on to raid Friendship, Maine, where people were killed and others taken prisoner.[7] Hostilities of the French and Indian Wars ceased with the 1759 Fall of Quebec.

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician College near Thomaston ME

Thomaston ME vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet tech schools must make their determination based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you choose 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 provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Thomaston ME.