Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Charlestown MA

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Charlestown Massachusetts

Charlestown MA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Charlestown MA might at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you have to find and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have found some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important considerations when evaluating vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing 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 roles of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Charlestown MA

cat with cone after surgery in Charlestown MA Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the Charlestown MA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all 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 vocational 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 complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and generally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. 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 career opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Charlestown

student attending online vet tech school in Charlestown MA An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Charlestown MA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for example for travel and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. 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 fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Charlestown MA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Charlestown MA vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Charlestown MA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, 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 a thorough review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for many Charlestown MA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on 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 infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Charlestown MA veterinarians that you might want 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 Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Charlestown MA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate may mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Charlestown MA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Charlestown MA programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Charlestown MA home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Charlestown 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 need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Charlestown MA?

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

Charlestown, Boston

Charlestown is the oldest neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.[1] Originally called Mishawum by the Massachusett, it is located on a peninsula north of the Charles River, across from downtown Boston, and also adjoins the Mystic River and Boston Harbor. Charlestown was laid out in 1629 by engineer Thomas Graves, one of its early settlers, in the reign of Charles I of England. It was originally a separate town and the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Charlestown became a city in 1848 and was annexed by Boston on January 5, 1874. With that, it also switched from Middlesex County, to which it had belonged since 1643, to Suffolk County. It has had a substantial Irish American population since the migration of Irish people during the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s. Since the late 1980s the neighborhood has changed dramatically because of its proximity to downtown and its colonial architecture. A mix of yuppie and upper-middle class gentrification has influenced much of the area, as it has in many of Boston's neighborhoods, but Charlestown still maintains a strong Irish American population and "Townie" identity.

In the 21st century, Charlestown's diversity has expanded dramatically, along with growing rates of the very poor and very wealthy. Today Charlestown is a largely residential neighborhood, with much housing near the waterfront, overlooking the Boston skyline. Charlestown is home to many historic sites, hospitals and organizations, with access from the Orange Line Sullivan Square or Community College stops or the I-93 expressway.

Choose the Ideal Vet Tech School near Charlestown MA

Charlestown MA vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate veterinary technician college is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about vet tech colleges must make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. 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 reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Charlestown MA.