Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools East Bridgewater MA

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near East Bridgewater Massachusetts

East Bridgewater MA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near East Bridgewater MA could initially seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle assessing and contrasting schools so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. After they have located some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are considering before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished 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 alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in East Bridgewater MA

cat with cone after surgery in East Bridgewater MA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the East Bridgewater MA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and generally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general 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 tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in East Bridgewater

student attending online vet tech school in East Bridgewater MA An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local East Bridgewater MA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for example for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask East Bridgewater MA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask East Bridgewater MA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the East Bridgewater MA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many East Bridgewater MA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Massachusetts school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some East Bridgewater MA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with East Bridgewater MA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some 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 high placement rate could mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the East Bridgewater MA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify 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 may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the East Bridgewater MA schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your East Bridgewater MA home, you have to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near East Bridgewater MA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near East Bridgewater MA?

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

East Bridgewater, Massachusetts

The lands that would become East Bridgewater were first settled by Europeans in 1630 as an outgrowth of the Plymouth and Duxbury plantations. It was a part of Olde Bridgewater, as the "East Parish" founded in 1723, until it officially separated from Bridgewater and incorporated on June 14, 1823.

The town was located on the northern portion of the Taunton River, and had an economy primarily based on agriculture, though industrial development followed. Iron works in the town provided muskets and cannon for the Colonial armies during the American Revolution. There was more residential development in the late 19th century and early 20th century along the community's rail and trolley lines. The famous bank robber Jack Turner had a brother who owned a home in East Bridgewater during the mid-19th century. It is widely believed that Turner had left his fortune there before he was mistakenly shot by Union agents outside of Richmond, Virginia in 1864. Today, East Bridgewater is mostly known as a residential community.[2]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 17.5 square miles (45 km2), of which 17.2 square miles (45 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2), or 1.49%, is water. East Bridgewater ranks 214th of 351 communities in the Commonwealth in terms of land area, and fifteenth of the twenty-seven communities of Plymouth County. The town is bordered by Whitman to the north, Hanson to the east, Halifax to the southeast, Bridgewater to the south, West Bridgewater to the west, and Brockton to the northwest. East Bridgewater's town center is located twenty-seven miles southeast of Boston.

Pick the Ideal Vet Tech College near East Bridgewater MA

East Bridgewater MA vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students looking into vet tech schools need to make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in East Bridgewater MA.