Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Waterville ME

How to Select a Veterinary Technician Program near Waterville Maine

Waterville ME vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Waterville ME may at first seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you must find and enroll in a college that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their homes. When they have found some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important factors when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Waterville ME

cat with cone after surgery in Waterville ME Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want 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 training, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many tasks that they can carry out within the Waterville ME veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get 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 veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Waterville

student attending online vet tech school in Waterville ME An option that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Waterville ME veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for example for commuting and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Waterville ME Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Waterville ME vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Waterville ME area and across the United States, you must ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Waterville ME area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Maine school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Waterville ME veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Waterville ME veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Waterville ME veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Waterville ME schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to 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 School Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Waterville ME home, you have to confirm that the commuting 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, particularly if the school is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Waterville ME. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Waterville ME?

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

Waterville, Maine

Waterville is a city in Kennebec County of the U.S. state of Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. Home to Colby College and Thomas College, the population was 16,406 at the 2016 census.[4] Waterville is also the latter of the cities which make up the Augusta-Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Waterville has a Mayor and council-manager form of government, led by a mayor and a seven-member city council. The city council is the governing board, and the city manager is the chief administrative officer of the City, responsible for the management of all City affairs. The city is also home to Fox affiliate WPFO and Daystar rebroadcaster WFYW-LP both serving the Portland market and to several radio stations including Colby's WMHB, country WEBB, adult standards WTVL and MPBN on 91.3 FM. The film Wet Hot American Summer is set in Waterville.

The area now known as Waterville was once inhabited by the Canibas tribe of Abenaki (Indigenous People). Called Taconnet after Chief Taconnet, the main village was located on the east bank of the Kennebec River at its confluence with the Sebasticook River at what is now Winslow. Known as Ticonic by English settlers, it was burned in 1692 during King William's War, after which the Canibas tribe abandoned the area. Fort Halifax was built by General John Winslow in 1754, and the last skirmish with Indigenous peoples occurred on May 18, 1757.[5]

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech School near Waterville ME

Waterville ME vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician program is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students looking into veterinary technician programs must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Waterville ME.