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How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near Pembroke Massachusetts

Pembroke MA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Pembroke MA might at first feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. When they have identified some area colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important factors when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Pembroke MA

cat with cone after surgery in Pembroke MA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Pembroke MA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard 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 position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases 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 vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician 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 also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Pembroke

student attending online vet tech school in Pembroke MA An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Pembroke MA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pembroke MA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Pembroke MA vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Pembroke MA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a precondition for employment for a number of Pembroke MA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Massachusetts school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Pembroke MA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Pembroke MA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Pembroke MA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Pembroke MA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Pembroke MA home, you must confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Pembroke MA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Pembroke MA?

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

Pembroke, Massachusetts

The earliest European settlers were Robert Barker and Dolor Davis, who settled in the vicinity of Herring Brook in 1650. Up until that time, the Wampanoag and the Massachusett were the only residents, fishing and farming along the rivers; they called the area Mattakeesett, which means "place of much fish", because of the annual springtime run of herring in the local rivers. The land was part of the Major's Purchase, a large tract of lands bought from Josias Wampatuck of the Massachusetts by a group of English investors. The area was once a part of Duxbury, before incorporating as a separate town in 1712, and was ultimately named for the town of Pembroke, Wales, the name of Brookfield being rejected because it was already in use by the town in Worcester County that still bears this name.

Most notable of the town's resources are its water resources, which include the North River and Indian Head River; its ponds, Oldham, Furnace, Great Sandy Bottom, Little Sandy Bottom, and Stetson Ponds; and Silver Lake. The town's ponds, streams and marshes are the home of herring that were prized so much that in 1741, the town began regulating the taking and preservation of the fish. The herring are celebrated each year at the town's annual "Grande Old Fish Fry".[2]

The Pembroke Iron Works was established in 1720 and used iron dredged from the bottom of the ponds. Ice was cut from the ponds, stored in icehouses, and used in the summer months for food preservation. The ponds and streams also provided power for various mills, including grist, flour and sawmills. Later, shipbuilding and box manufacturing became important factors in the development of the town.[2]

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech School near Pembroke MA

Pembroke MA vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their determination based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Pembroke MA.