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How to Select a Vet Tech School near Auburn New Hampshire

Auburn NH vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Auburn NH could initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. When they have found some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate selection. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied roles of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Auburn NH

cat with cone after surgery in Auburn NH Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many duties that they can perform within the Auburn NH veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a structured 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 trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and normally obtain a 2 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 general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years. 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 job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Auburn

student attending online vet tech school in Auburn NH An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Auburn NH veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for instance for commuting and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain 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 practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Auburn NH Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Auburn NH vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinary credential that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Auburn NH area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade 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 necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Auburn NH area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the New Hampshire school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Auburn NH vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Auburn NH veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish 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 connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Auburn NH veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Auburn NH schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Auburn NH home, you have to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinary schools 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 at night near Auburn NH. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Auburn NH?

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

Auburn, New Hampshire

Auburn was originally settled by Native Americans in 1624. It was a fishing settlement called by Native Americans "Massabesic" (the current name of the town's largest lake). British settlers arrived in the area in 1720 and made peace with the Native Americans until the French and Indian War. The Massabesic settlement was destroyed, and the nearby town of Chester claimed the land. It was known as Chester Woods, Chester West Parish, Long Meadow,[3] and then Auburn. Auburn became an independent town on June 25, 1845,[3] with a population of 1,200 people. As with Auburn, Maine, Auburn, Massachusetts and Auburn, New York, the name is from Oliver Goldsmith's popular 18th-century poem, "The Deserted Village", which begins:

Auburn was served by the Concord and Portsmouth Railroad, which later became the Portsmouth Branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad.[3] Auburn was home to a small passenger depot at one time, but by the mid 1900s most rail activity was through traffic as Auburn had few on-line industries. The last freight trains passed through in the early 1980s. The track was abandoned in 1982 and subsequently torn up between 1983 and 1985.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.7 square miles (74.3 km2), of which 25.2 sq mi (65.3 km2) is land and 3.5 sq mi (9.1 km2), or 12.20%, is water.[1]Massabesic Lake, located in the western part of Auburn and the eastern part of Manchester, is the largest body of water in Auburn and serves as the city water supply for Manchester. The lake is fed by numerous tributaries, most notable being Sucker Brook, which enters the northeast end of the lake near the Auburn town center and itself drains several lakes, including Tower Hill Pond, Clark Pond, and Little Massabesic Lake. Cohas Brook flows through the eastern portion of Auburn and eventually (in Manchester) receives the outflow of Massabesic Lake before flowing west to the Merrimack River. Auburn lies fully within the Merrimack River watershed.[4] Three hills, all overlooking Massabesic Lake, can lay potential claim to being Auburn's highest point: Mount Miner, at 582 feet (177 m) above sea level, located north of the lake; Mine Hill, greater than 580 ft (180 m), above the east shore; and Mount Misery, greater than 580 feet, to the southeast.

Choose the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Auburn NH

Auburn NH vet tech holding dog Selecting the right vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician programs must make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Auburn NH.