Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Fairton NJ - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Select a Veterinary Technician Program near Fairton New Jersey

Fairton NJ vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Fairton NJ could initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a school that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the best selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. After they have identified some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important factors when assessing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied duties of vet techs and the training options available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Fairton NJ

cat with cone after surgery in Fairton NJ One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Fairton NJ veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably 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 involved functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally 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, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Fairton NJ labs or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Fairton

student attending online vet tech school in Fairton NJ An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Fairton NJ veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for example for traveling and study materials, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Fairton NJ Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Fairton NJ vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Fairton NJ area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, 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 demanding screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Fairton NJ area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Jersey school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Fairton NJ veterinarians 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 schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs established with Fairton NJ veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate could signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Fairton NJ veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Fairton NJ colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Fairton NJ home, you have to confirm 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 college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the vet schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Fairton NJ. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Fairton NJ?

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

Federal Correctional Institution, Fairton

The Federal Correctional Institution, Fairton (FCI Fairton) is a medium-security United States federal prison for male inmates in New Jersey. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice. The facility also has an adjacent satellite prison camp housing minimum-security male offenders.

On August 17, 2010, Brian Walters, Chief Pharmacist at FCI Fairton, pleaded guilty to stealing over $7,000 in drugs and supplies from the prison pharmacy which he supervised. An investigation revealed that from July 2008 to July 2009, Walters stole the drug nalbuphine hydrochloride, an opiate-based pain reliever, and other supplies, including hypodermic needles. Walters also ordered extra quantities of the drug through his position as Chief Pharmacist and took the drug and supplies in order to use the drug himself. The stolen drugs and needles were worth over $7,000.[2] He was sentenced on December 1, 2010 to a three-year term of probation, $7,041.44 in restitution and a $1,000 fine.[3]

An FBI investigation in early 2012 found that FCI Fairton Correction Officer Job Brown, 39, accepted $3,600 in bribes in exchange for smuggling contraband in and out of the facility. Between January 2012 and March 14, 2012, he accepted two separate cash payments – $1,100 and $2,500 – in exchange for using his position to smuggle tobacco and vitamin supplements to a prisoner inside the facility. Brown also smuggled approximately 900 U.S. postage stamps out of the facility for the same inmate’s benefit. Tobacco is prohibited at FCI Fairton, and inmates are also not allowed to possess more than 60 United States postage stamps, or vitamin supplements, which are not purchased through the prison commissary. Brown pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in June 2012 and was sentenced to one year in prison.[4][5]

Select the Best Vet Tech School near Fairton NJ

Fairton NJ vet tech holding dog Choosing the right veterinary technician school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Potential students considering vet tech schools need to make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Fairton NJ.