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How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Durham New Hampshire

Durham NH vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Durham NH may at first seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the best selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. When they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when assessing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician 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 review them we’ll explore the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Durham NH

cat with cone after surgery in Durham NH One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Durham NH veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites 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 graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and usually earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Durham

student attending online vet tech school in Durham NH An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Durham NH veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for traveling and study supplies, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make certain 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 provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Durham NH Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Durham NH vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Durham NH area as well as across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for many Durham NH area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Hampshire school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Durham NH vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Durham NH veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Durham NH vet community and has a substantial 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 placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Durham NH colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Durham NH home, you have to 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Durham NH. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Durham NH?

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

Durham, New Hampshire

The primary settlement in the town, where 10,345 people resided at the 2010 census,[1] is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the Durham census-designated place (CDP) and includes the densely populated portion of the town centered on the intersection of New Hampshire Route 108 and Main Street and including the university which dominates the town.

Situated beside Great Bay at the mouth of the Oyster River, Durham was originally called "Oyster River Plantation". It was settled in 1635 by pioneers who traveled up the Piscataqua River and across Little Bay to settle at the falls of the Oyster River.

At the time, the land that is now New Hampshire belonged to Massachusetts; not until 1692 did the New Hampshire colony finally gain full and permanent independence from its southern neighbor. Most of the coastal area was divided among four townships, and for its first century, Durham was part of Dover. The village location was ideal for its fresh water, natural meadows for livestock, and the transportation opportunities afforded by the waterways leading to the Atlantic Ocean. The land along the river was quickly settled, and nearby dense forests provided the timber necessary to construct homes as well as boats. Oyster River Plantation took the form of a small agricultural village, and the first generation of residents worked to clear and shape the land for planting.[2]

Pick the Right Vet Tech College near Durham NH

Durham NH vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech programs need to make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Durham NH.