Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Auburndale MA

How to Find the Right Vet Tech Program near Auburndale Massachusetts

Auburndale MA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Auburndale MA might at first seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the ideal choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. After they have located some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Auburndale MA

cat with cone after surgery in Auburndale MA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal 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 direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of tasks that they can carry out within the Auburndale MA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed 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 trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and normally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion 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 involved in more complicated duties, for instance 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 veterinary techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Auburndale

student attending online vet tech school in Auburndale MA An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Auburndale MA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Auburndale MA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Auburndale MA vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Auburndale MA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Auburndale MA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Massachusetts school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Auburndale MA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Auburndale MA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the Auburndale MA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not well 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 sized, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Auburndale MA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students regarding 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 Campus Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Auburndale MA home, you must make sure 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a large 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 charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are considering 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 Auburndale MA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Auburndale MA?

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

Auburndale, Massachusetts

Auburndale, known to longtime residents simply as "The Dale", is one of the 13 villages within the city of Newton, Massachusetts. It lies at the western end of Newton near the intersection of interstate highways 90 and 95. It is bisected by the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90). Auburndale is surrounded by three other Newton villages (West Newton, Waban, and Newton Lower Falls) as well as the city of Waltham and the Charles River. Auburndale is the home of Williams and Burr elementary schools, as well as Lasell College. Auburndale Square is the location of the Plummer Memorial Library, which is run by the Auburndale Community Library and no longer affiliated with the Newton Free Library, the Turtle Lane Playhouse, and many small businesses.

The first major settler in the area was William Robinson who built a house in 1678 on what is now Freeman Street. The oldest house in Auburndale stands at 473 Auburn Street and was built in 1730 by William Robinson.[1]

Auburndale, once billed as Auburndale-on-the-Charles, was the home of Norumbega Park which closed in 1963. The park included rides, a zoo, and boating. The nationally-famous big band venue Totem Pole Ballroom was associated with Norumbega Park and closed in 1964.[2] The area now contains over 80 acres of conservation land as well as access to the Charles River.

Choose the Best Veterinary Technician School near Auburndale MA

Auburndale MA vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate veterinary technician college is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech schools need to make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Auburndale MA.