Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Germantown MD

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Germantown Maryland

Germantown MD vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Germantown MD could initially seem like a daunting task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the best choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their residences. After they have located some area schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important factors when comparing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have presented several within this article 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 Vet Tech in Germantown MD

cat with cone after surgery in Germantown MD One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary 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 education, but the main 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 supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Germantown MD veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, 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 technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training in contrast to assistants and usually obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Germantown

student attending online vet tech school in Germantown MD An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Germantown MD veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for example for traveling and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. 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 self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Germantown MD Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Germantown MD vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish 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, trade and vocational schools in the Germantown MD area as well as across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Germantown MD area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Maryland school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Germantown MD veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Germantown MD veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate could suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Germantown MD vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Germantown MD colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Germantown MD home, you have to make sure 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, 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 fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the vet schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Germantown MD. 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. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Germantown MD?

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

Germantown, Maryland

Germantown is an urbanized census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland. With a population of 90,676 as of 2013 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Germantown is the third most populous place in Maryland, after the city of Baltimore, and the census-designated place of Columbia.[2][3] Germantown is located approximately 25–30 miles (40–48 km) outside of the U.S. capital of Washington, D.C. and is an important part of the Washington metropolitan area.

Germantown was founded in the early 19th century by European immigrants though much of the area's development did not occur until the mid-20th century. The original plan for Germantown divided the area into a downtown and six town villages:[4] Gunners Lake Village, Kingsview Village,[5] Churchill Village, Middlebrook Village,[6] Clopper's Mill Village, and Neelsville Village.[7] The Churchill Town Sector at the corner of Maryland Route 118 and Middlebrook Road most closely resembles the downtown or center of Germantown because of the location of the Upcounty Regional Services Center, the Germantown Public Library, the Black Rock Arts Center, the Regal Germantown Stadium 14, and pedestrian shopping that features an array of restaurants. Three exits to Interstate 270 are less than one mile away, the Maryland Area Regional Commuter train is within walking distance, and the Germantown Transit Center that provides Ride On shuttle service to the Shady Grove station of the Washington Metro's Red Line.

Germantown has the assigned ZIP codes of 20874 and 20876 for delivery and 20875 for post office boxes. It is the most populous Germantown in Maryland and is the only "Germantown, Maryland" that is recognized by the United States Postal Service.

Enroll in the Ideal Veterinary Technician College near Germantown MD

Germantown MD vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate vet tech program is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into veterinary technician colleges need to make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Germantown MD.