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How to Select a Vet Tech School near Edgewood Maryland

Edgewood MD vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Edgewood MD could initially seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you must find and enroll in a school that will furnish the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle evaluating and comparing programs so that you can make the proper selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have located some area colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the different roles of vet techs and the training options available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Edgewood MD

cat with cone after surgery in Edgewood MD Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Edgewood MD veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern 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 vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and typically acquire 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 veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four 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 job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Edgewood MD laboratories or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Edgewood

student attending online vet tech school in Edgewood MD An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Edgewood MD veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study materials, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Edgewood MD Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Edgewood MD vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Edgewood MD area as well as across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out 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 internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among 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 ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Edgewood MD area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Maryland school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Edgewood MD veterinarians 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 colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Edgewood MD veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Edgewood MD veterinarian community and has a considerable 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 sized, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Edgewood MD colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to 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 School Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Edgewood MD home, you must confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Edgewood MD. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Edgewood MD?

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

Edgewood, Maryland

Edgewood is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Harford County, Maryland, United States. The population was 25,562 at the 2010 census,[1] up from 23,378 at the 2000 census.

Edgewood is located in southwestern Harford County at 39°25′49″N 76°18′20″W / 39.43028°N 76.30556°W / 39.43028; -76.30556 (39.430275, -76.305555).[3] It is bordered to the west by Baltimore County, Joppatowne, to the north by Bel Air South, to the east by the Bush River, an arm of Chesapeake Bay, to the south by the Edgewood Arsenal portion of Aberdeen Proving Ground, and to the southwest by the tidal Gunpowder River, another arm of the Chesapeake.

Interstate 95 forms the northern border of the Edgewood CDP and provides access from Exit 74 (Maryland Route 152) and Exit 77 (Maryland Route 24). I-95 leads southwest 25 miles (40 km) to Baltimore and northeast 50 miles (80 km) to Wilmington, Delaware. U.S. Route 40 (Pulaski Highway) runs through the northern part of Edgewood, parallel to I-95. US 40 leads southwest 9 miles (14 km) to White Marsh and the same distance northeast to Aberdeen. Maryland Route 24 begins at an entrance to Aberdeen Proving Ground in the southern part of the CDP and leads 10 miles (16 km) north to Bel Air, the Harford County seat.

Pick the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Edgewood MD

Edgewood MD vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician schools must make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Edgewood MD.