Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Still River MA

How to Find the Right Vet Tech Program near Still River Massachusetts

Still River MA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Still River MA may at first seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their residences. Once they have found some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different duties of vet techs and the training options available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Still River MA

cat with cone after surgery in Still River MA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Still River MA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Still River MA laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Still River

student attending online vet tech school in Still River MA An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Still River MA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for example for travel and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Still River MA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Still River MA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, 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 Still River MA area and across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a program 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 programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for a number of Still River MA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Massachusetts school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Still River MA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Still River MA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate might indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the Still River MA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Still River MA schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for 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 School Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Still River MA home, you must make certain 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Still River MA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family issues. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Still River MA?

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

Still River, Massachusetts

Noted for its views of Mount Wachusett, Still River is home to Saint Benedict Abbey, St. Benedict Center, The McGarry Family, Harvard Historical Society, Willard Farm Stand, various hills, meadows, and wetlands.

Choose the Right Vet Tech School near Still River MA

Still River MA vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate vet tech college is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students considering vet tech programs must make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Still River MA.