Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools West Chesterfield MA

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near West Chesterfield Massachusetts

West Chesterfield MA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near West Chesterfield MA might at first feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the proper selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. After they have found some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when comparing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are looking at before you make a final decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in West Chesterfield MA

cat with cone after surgery in West Chesterfield MA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the West Chesterfield MA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

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 finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in West Chesterfield MA labs or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in West Chesterfield

student attending online vet tech school in West Chesterfield MA An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local West Chesterfield MA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for traveling and study supplies, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. 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 fashion, an online vet tech program may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask West Chesterfield MA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask West Chesterfield MA vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the West Chesterfield MA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously 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 undergone an extensive review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of West Chesterfield MA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Massachusetts school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some West Chesterfield MA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with West Chesterfield MA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate could suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the West Chesterfield MA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not well 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 in size, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the West Chesterfield MA colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your West Chesterfield MA home, you have to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate 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 larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near West Chesterfield MA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm 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 work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near West Chesterfield MA?

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

Chesterfield, Massachusetts

Chesterfield is a rural hill town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States, 26 miles (42 km) east of Pittsfield and 90 miles (140 km) west of Boston. The population was 1,222 at the 2010 census.[1] It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Chesterfield was first settled in 1760 and was officially incorporated in 1762. It was named after the Earl of Chesterfield.[2] The town center, established after the Revolution, has well-preserved Federal period houses along Main Road. In its early days, the town supported a largely agricultural economy, with wool from Merino sheep as a major product. However, there were sawmills and tanneries in operation as well as cloth dressing mills, and in the early 19th century these superseded farming and brought in a small immigrant population that was mostly Irish. Progress wiped out most of the industry in Chesterfield, and by the start of the 20th century a re-emerging agricultural economy developed alongside the growing trade from summer residents.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 31.2 square miles (80.9 km2), of which 30.8 square miles (79.9 km2) are land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), or 1.27%, are water.[1] Chesterfield's location is nearly equidistant from the northern, southern and western state lines of Massachusetts.

Pick the Right Vet Tech School near West Chesterfield MA

West Chesterfield MA vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician program is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech colleges must make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in West Chesterfield MA.