Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Framingham MA

How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Framingham Massachusetts

Framingham MA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Framingham MA could initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must locate and enroll in a college that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the right choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have identified some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when comparing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several within this article in order 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 Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Framingham MA

cat with cone after surgery in Framingham MA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Framingham MA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing 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 performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Framingham MA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Framingham

student attending online vet tech school in Framingham MA An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Framingham MA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Framingham MA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Framingham MA vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Framingham MA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, 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 demanding screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for many Framingham MA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Massachusetts school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Framingham MA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Framingham MA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate might mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Framingham MA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Framingham MA programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Framingham 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Framingham MA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Framingham MA?

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

Framingham, Massachusetts

Framingham (/ˈfreɪmɪŋhæm/ ( listen)) is a city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. Incorporated in 1700, it is within Middlesex County and the MetroWest subregion of the Greater Boston metropolitan area. The city proper covers 25 square miles (65 km2) with an estimated population of 68,318 in 2010, making it the 14th most populous municipality in Massachusetts.[1][2] Residents voted in favor of adopting a charter to transition from a representative town meeting system to a mayor–council government in April 2017, and the municipality transitioned to city status on January 1, 2018.[3]

Framingham, sited on the ancient trail known as the Old Connecticut Path, was first settled by a European when John Stone settled on the west bank of the Sudbury River in 1647. Native American leader, Tantamous lived in the Nobscot Hill area of Framingham prior to King Philip's War in 1676. In 1660, Thomas Danforth, an official of the Bay Colony, formerly of Framlingham, Suffolk, received a grant of land at "Danforth's Farms" and began to accumulate over 15,000 acres (100 km2). He strenuously resisted petitions for incorporation of the town, which was officially incorporated in 1700, following his death the previous year. Why the "L" was dropped from the new town's name is not known. The first church was organized in 1701, the first teacher was hired in 1706, and the first permanent schoolhouse in 1716.

On February 22, 1775, the British general Thomas Gage sent two officers and an enlisted man out of Boston to survey the route to Worcester, Massachusetts. In Framingham, those spies stopped at Buckminster's Tavern. They watched the town militia muster outside the building, impressed with the men's numbers but not their discipline. Though "the whole company" came into the tavern after their drill, the officers remained undetected and continued on their mission the next day.[4] Gage did not order a march along that route, instead ordering troops to Concord, Massachusetts, on April 18–19. Framingham sent two militia companies totaling about 130 men into the Battles of Lexington and Concord that followed; one of those men was wounded.[5]

Pick the Best Vet Tech Program near Framingham MA

Framingham MA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal veterinary technician school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students considering veterinary technician schools must make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Framingham MA.