Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Somerville MA

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Somerville Massachusetts

Somerville MA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Somerville MA might at first seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. After they have located some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. 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 choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Somerville MA

cat with cone after surgery in Somerville MA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many jobs that they can perform within the Somerville MA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and usually 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 basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career 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 emergency care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Somerville MA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Somerville

student attending online vet tech school in Somerville MA An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Somerville MA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Somerville MA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Somerville MA vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Somerville MA area and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Somerville MA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college 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 looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Massachusetts school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Somerville MA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Somerville MA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Somerville MA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean 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 larger, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Somerville MA schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Somerville MA home, you must confirm that the commuting 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 campus is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you determine if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Somerville MA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Somerville MA?

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

Somerville, Massachusetts

Somerville (/ˈsʌmərvɪl/ SUM-ər-vil) is a city located directly to the northwest of Boston, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. As of 2010[update], the United States Census lists the city with a total population of 75,754 people, making it the most densely populated municipality in New England. As of 2010[update], it was the 16th most densely populated incorporated municipality in the country. Somerville was established as a town in 1842, when it was separated from Charlestown. In 2006, the city was named the best-run city in Massachusetts by the Boston Globe.[3] In 1972, in 2009, and again in 2015, the city received the All-America City Award.[4][5] It is home to Tufts University, which has its campus along the Somerville and Medford border.

The territory now comprising the city of Somerville was first settled in 1629 as part of Charlestown. In 1629, English surveyor Thomas Graves led a scouting party of 100 Puritans from the settlement of Salem to prepare the site for the Great Migration of Puritans from England. Graves was attracted to the narrow Mishawum Peninsula between the Charles River and the Mystic River, linked to the mainland at the present-day Sullivan Square. The area of earliest settlement was based at City Square on the peninsula, though the territory of Charlestown officially included all of what is now Somerville, as well as Medford, Everett, Malden,[6]Stoneham,[7], Melrose,, Woburn, Burlington, and parts of Arlington and Cambridge.[8] From that time until 1842, the area of present-day Somerville was referred to as "beyond the Neck" in reference to the thin spit of land, the Charlestown Neck, that connected it to the Charlestown Peninsula.[9]

The first European settler in Somerville of whom there is any record was John Woolrich, an Indian trader who came from the Charlestown Peninsula in 1630, and settled near Dane Street. Others soon followed Woolrich, locating in the vicinity of present-day Union Square. The population continued to slowly increase, and by 1775 there were about 500 inhabitants scattered across the area. Otherwise, the area was mostly used as grazing and farmland. It was once known as the "Stinted Pasture" or "Cow Commons", as early settlers of Charlestown had the right to pasture a certain number of cows in the area.

Pick the Best Vet Tech School near Somerville MA

Somerville MA vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech college is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering veterinary technician schools must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you select 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 assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the best school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Somerville MA.