Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Keedysville MD

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Keedysville Maryland

Keedysville MD vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Keedysville MD could initially seem like a daunting task. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. Once they have located some local colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Keedysville MD

cat with cone after surgery in Keedysville MD Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Keedysville MD veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared 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 veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Keedysville MD labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Keedysville

student attending online vet tech school in Keedysville MD An option that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable 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 technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Keedysville MD veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for example for travel and study supplies, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Keedysville MD Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Keedysville MD vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Keedysville MD area as well as across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down 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 mentioned other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded 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 receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Keedysville MD area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating 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 infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Keedysville MD veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Keedysville MD veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate could signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Keedysville MD vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Keedysville MD colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Keedysville MD home, you need to make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Keedysville MD. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Keedysville MD?

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

Keedysville, Maryland

The first documented house in Keedysville was built in 1738. The description for George Gordon's "Gordon's Purchase[5]" land tract notes "...one log house, 12 x 15 feet..." The initial warrant for the tract had been issued to Owen McDonald in Jan. 1738, the year before Gordon acquired it. Gordon's Purchase was the first tract taken up by a Euromerican within what would eventually become Keedysville. The main road at that time was the Conococheague Road, which branched from the Great Wagon Road just east of Keedysville and led to the farthest reaches of the provence,[6] passing through what would eventually be Keedysville. The house and its exact location are unknown but the starting point for Gordon's Purchase was on today's Bell Lane.[7] As more settlers moved into the region a grist mill was built on Little Antietam Creek about 1765 to serve the earliest farmers who were mostly German and Swiss immigrants who'd migrated from Pennsylvania. This mill was bought by Jacob Hess in 1770.[8] Hess owned the mill and most of what would become the town until his death in 1815. During this period the budding community became known as "Hess's Mill." In the years immediately following Jacob Hess's death the Sharpsburg to Boonsboro Turnpike was constructed (about 1820), which became Keedysville's main street. Due to its location exactly half-way between Boonsboro and Sharpsburg the town became known as Centerville. The town's name officially became Keedysville when the first post office was established due to the existence of another Centerville, Maryland in Queen Anne's County. In the mid-1860's the B&O Railroad began acquiring a right-of-way and by the early 1870's a branch line extended from Weverton to Hagerstown with a busy Keedysville depot as the mid-way point. The railroad brought a much needed prosperity following the dark days of the civil war. In 1872 Keedysville was officially chartered as a municipality. Keedysville was home to numerous businesses through the first half of the 1900's but the commercial nature of the town had begun to decline by the century's second decade. Like most small towns, the advent of the automobile and mechanization brought a gradual change as larger stores and factories became easily accessible and previously plentiful manual labor jobs decreased. Keedysville remained almost unchanged otherwise for much of the 20th century, retaining its small town appeal. By the beginning of the 21st century that small town feel became increasingly attractive. Several additions to the town were planned by the turn of the century and the population which had previously hovered around 400 for many years, suddenly swelled to more than double that number in a single decade. Keedysville has a long and storied past, but even at twice it's size, it retains that small town flavor.

An alternate, popular history credits Jacob Hess as the first settler, who then builds a mill forming the nucleus for the town.[9] As shown above, settlement began in the 1730's. Jacob Hess did not arrive in the area until approximately 1760 with the Christian Orndorff family.[10] He is noted at that time as "a German youth." This narrative, claiming construction of the mill complex in 1768 may stem from Hess' first land tract "Hess' Discovery," patented that year. The mill however was on the tract Gordon's Purchase, not Hess' Discovery. Hess was however a prosperous businessman and community leader. As such, he remains integral to the establishment of the town.

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Bridge, Antietam Creek, Baker Farm, Doub Farm, Geeting Farm, Hills, Dales and The Vinyard, Hitt's Mill and Houses, Hoffman Farm, Keedysville Historic District, and Nicodemus Mill Complex are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[11]

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech Program near Keedysville MD

Keedysville MD vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate veterinary technician school is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students looking into veterinary technician colleges must make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Keedysville MD.