Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Litchfield NH

How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Litchfield New Hampshire

Litchfield NH vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Litchfield NH could initially seem like a daunting task. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their homes. After they have identified some local schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant factors when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into 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 a final selection. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Litchfield NH

cat with cone after surgery in Litchfield NH Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many duties that they can carry out within the Litchfield NH veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most 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 involved with more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years. 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 job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary technicians 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 Litchfield NH labs or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Litchfield

student attending online vet tech school in Litchfield NH An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Litchfield NH veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for commuting and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Litchfield NH Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Litchfield NH vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Litchfield NH area and across the Country, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, 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 an extensive review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Litchfield NH area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Hampshire school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Litchfield NH veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Litchfield NH veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate could suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Litchfield NH veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Litchfield NH programs you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Litchfield NH home, you need to make certain that the driving 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, especially if the school is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will give you 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 veterinarian programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Litchfield NH. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Litchfield NH?

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

Litchfield, New Hampshire

Prior to European settlement, the area was populated by the Abenaki.[3] They were skilled with fishing and were adept in agriculture as well. The New Hampshire Archaeological Society has located over 30 Native American sites along the shore of the Merrimack River in Litchfield, with artifacts several thousands of years old being uncovered.[4]

Most of Litchfield was part of the large town known as Dunstable, which was organized in the 1600s and included land along both sides of the disputed New Hampshire-Massachusetts boundary, and out of which were carved several towns and cities in both states. The area which became Litchfield was originally known as "Naticook". In 1656, William Brenton was granted land which included much of present-day Litchfield.[5] The name was changed to "Brenton's Farm" in 1729, after William Brenton, colonial governor of Rhode Island. The town was first incorporated into Massachusetts on July 4, 1734.[6] The first town meeting was held on Monday, July 29, 1734, at 1 pm at the house of Aquila Underwood to choose town officers.[7] After Brenton's death in 1749, the land was granted to another group of settlers and named "Litchfield" after George Henry Lee, Earl of Lichfield. Litchfield was incorporated into the Province of New Hampshire on June 5, 1749.[6]

Wiseman Claget moved to his substantial estates here shortly before the Revolution. He was involved in the temporary government serving as the only Solicitor General, the post being abolished shortly before his death in 1784.

Pick the Best Vet Tech College near Litchfield NH

Litchfield NH vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician colleges need to make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Litchfield NH.