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How to Find the Right Vet Tech Program near Concord New Hampshire

Concord NH vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Concord NH may at first feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the proper choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have identified some area schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Concord NH

cat with cone after surgery in Concord NH One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many tasks that they can perform within the Concord NH veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from 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. Usually they are not involved with more involved activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally 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 vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Concord

student attending online vet tech school in Concord NH An approach that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Concord NH veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes 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 veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Concord NH Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Concord NH vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Concord NH area and across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among 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 review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Concord NH area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Hampshire school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Concord NH vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Concord NH veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Concord NH veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Concord NH colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Concord NH home, you need to make certain that the driving 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, particularly if the college is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Concord NH. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Concord NH?

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

Concord, New Hampshire

Concord includes the villages of Penacook, East Concord, and West Concord. The city is home to the University of New Hampshire School of Law, New Hampshire's only law school; St. Paul's School, a private preparatory school; NHTI, a two-year community college; and the Granite State Symphony Orchestra. It is the resting place of Franklin Pierce, 14th President of the United States.

The area that would become Concord was originally settled thousands of years ago by Abenaki Native Americans called the Pennacook.[1]:65 The tribe fished for migrating salmon, sturgeon, and alewives with nets strung across the rapids of the Merrimack River. The stream was also the transportation route for their birch bark canoes, which could travel from Lake Winnipesaukee to the Atlantic Ocean. The broad sweep of the Merrimack River valley floodplain provided good soil for farming beans, gourds, pumpkins, melons and maize.

On January 17, 1725, the Province of Massachusetts Bay, which then claimed territories west of the Merrimack River, granted the Concord area as the Plantation of Penacook.[1]:107 It was settled between 1725 and 1727 by Captain Ebenezer Eastman and others from Haverhill, Massachusetts. On February 9, 1734, the town was incorporated as Rumford,[1]:147 from which Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford would take his title. It was renamed Concord in 1765 by Governor Benning Wentworth following a bitter boundary dispute between Rumford and the town of Bow; the city name was meant to reflect the new concord, or harmony, between the disputant towns.[5] Citizens displaced by the resulting border adjustment were given land elsewhere as compensation. In 1779, New Pennacook Plantation was granted to Timothy Walker, Jr. and his associates at what would be incorporated in 1800 as Rumford, Maine, the site of Pennacook Falls.

Select the Right Vet Tech Program near Concord NH

Concord NH vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician program is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Students thinking about vet tech programs need to make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Concord NH.