How to Select a Vet Tech School near Woburn Massachusetts

Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Woburn MA might initially seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the best selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. Once they have found some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the various roles of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Woburn MA 

Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Woburn MA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing 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 completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and generally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general 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 functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Woburn

An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Woburn MA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Woburn MA Vet Tech Schools

By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Woburn MA area and across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, 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 thorough review process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Woburn MA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation?  The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking 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 relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Woburn MA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Woburn MA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, 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 course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Woburn MA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might 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 may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Woburn MA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Woburn MA home, you must make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the vet programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Woburn MA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Woburn MA?

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

Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technician College near Woburn MA

Selecting the right veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech schools must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech colleges 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 decision. And by selecting the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Woburn MA.

Other Doggone Good Cities in Massachusetts

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Carver MA

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools East Longmeadow MA

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Royalston MA

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Littleton MA

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Hudson MA

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Boston MA

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Hatfield MA

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Harwich Port MA

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Huntington MA

Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Norwood MA