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How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near Hanover Massachusetts

Hanover MA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Hanover MA may initially seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. After they have located some area schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make a final decision. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training options available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Hanover MA

cat with cone after surgery in Hanover MA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Hanover MA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and typically earn 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 general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated functions, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Hanover

student attending online vet tech school in Hanover MA An approach that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Hanover MA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for travel and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive 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 Hanover MA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Hanover MA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Hanover MA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Hanover MA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Massachusetts school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Hanover MA veterinary clinics that you may 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 means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Hanover MA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Hanover MA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Hanover MA programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Hanover MA home, you must confirm that the commuting time fits into 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 in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Hanover MA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Hanover MA?

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

Hanover, Massachusetts

The area of Hanover was first settled by English settlers in 1649 when William Barstow, a farmer, built a bridge along the North River at what is now Washington Street. The land was the westernmost portion of the town of Scituate, and it would officially separate and be incorporated as a town June 14, 1727. The name "Hanover" is probably a tribute to King George I, the first Hanoverian King of Great Britain.[citation needed] (While George I died on June 11, 1727, the reports would not have reached the colonies until after the town's incorporation.) Hanover's early industry revolved around farming, small mills and a shipbuilding area along the North River. Later industries would include tack factories and shoe factories along the smaller waterways in the town. The town was the site of the invention of the first tack-making machine, and making tacks and fireworks were among the industries of the later 19th century for Hanover. Today, Hanover is mostly residential. The Hanover Mall and other shops are located near the intersection of Routes 3 and 53. In 2008 Hanover American Legion Post 149 baseball team won the state title.[2]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.7 square miles (41 km2), of which 15.6 square miles (40 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2), or 0.70%, is water. Hanover is the 240th town in terms of size in Massachusetts. Hanover is considered to be a part of the South Shore of Massachusetts. It is bordered by Norwell to the north and east, Pembroke and Hanson to the south, and Rockland to the west and northwest. Hanover is approximately 10 miles (16 km) east of Brockton and 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Boston.

Much of Hanover's eastern and southern borders consist of three waterways, the North and Indian Head rivers along the south and southeast, and the Third Herring Brook along the east. (The latter two are both tributaries, and the town border is marked by their confluences.) There are also several small ponds and brooks throughout the town, the largest pond being Factory Pond, a tributary of the Indian Head River in the south of town. The town has several small parks, sanctuaries and conservation areas spread throughout the town.

Choose the Best Veterinary Technician College near Hanover MA

Hanover MA vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician program is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students thinking about veterinary technician schools must make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Hanover MA.