Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Glen Ridge NJ

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech School near Glen Ridge New Jersey

Glen Ridge NJ vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Glen Ridge NJ might initially seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a school that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their homes. After they have identified some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when evaluating veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Glen Ridge NJ

cat with cone after surgery in Glen Ridge NJ Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous tasks that they can carry out within the Glen Ridge NJ veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and typically earn a 2 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 fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years. So the only real 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 possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Glen Ridge NJ laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Glen Ridge

student attending online vet tech school in Glen Ridge NJ An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Glen Ridge NJ veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program 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 included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Glen Ridge NJ Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Glen Ridge NJ vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Glen Ridge NJ area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Glen Ridge NJ area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the New Jersey school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Glen Ridge NJ veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Glen Ridge NJ veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate might indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the Glen Ridge NJ veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Glen Ridge NJ programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine 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 several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Glen Ridge NJ home, you must make sure that the commuting time is compatible with 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 near or in a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Glen Ridge NJ. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family issues. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Glen Ridge NJ?

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

Glen Ridge, New Jersey

Glen Ridge is a borough in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 7,527,[7][8][9] reflecting an increase of 256 (+3.5%) from the 7,271 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 195 (+2.8%) from the 7,076 counted in the 1990 Census.[18]

Glen Ridge was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 13, 1895, from portions of Bloomfield Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.[19] In 1982, the official name was changed to the "Township of Glen Ridge Borough" as one of seven four Essex County municipalities to pass a referendum to become a township, joining 11 municipalities that had already made the change, of what would ultimately be more than a dozen Essex County municipalities to reclassify themselves as townships in order take advantage of federal revenue sharing policies that allocated townships a greater share of government aid to municipalities on a per capita basis.[20][21][22][23] Effective May 1993, the borough's original name of "Glen Ridge Borough" was restored.[24] The borough's name comes from the ridge formed by Toney's Brook.[25]

Of the many legacies left to the town by its founders, the one that has become its trademark is the gas lamps. With only 3,000 gaslights remaining in operation in the entire United States, Glen Ridge has 665 such lamps lighting its streets.[26] In 1924, Glen Ridge became the first municipality in New Jersey to establish a zoning ordinance.[27]

Enroll in the Ideal Vet Tech School near Glen Ridge NJ

Glen Ridge NJ vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech colleges need to make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Glen Ridge NJ.