Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Picatinny Arsenal NJ

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near Picatinny Arsenal New Jersey

Picatinny Arsenal NJ vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Picatinny Arsenal NJ may initially seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a college that will furnish the necessary training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. Once they have located some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant considerations when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at 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 explore the different duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Picatinny Arsenal NJ

cat with cone after surgery in Picatinny Arsenal NJ One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Picatinny Arsenal NJ veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing 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 completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and normally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Picatinny Arsenal

student attending online vet tech school in Picatinny Arsenal NJ An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Picatinny Arsenal NJ veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Picatinny Arsenal NJ Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Picatinny Arsenal NJ vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Picatinny Arsenal NJ area as well as across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously 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 a rigorous screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a precondition for employment for many Picatinny Arsenal NJ area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Jersey school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Picatinny Arsenal NJ veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Picatinny Arsenal NJ veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Picatinny Arsenal NJ veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Picatinny Arsenal NJ schools you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Picatinny Arsenal NJ home, you have to confirm 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 school is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the vet schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Picatinny Arsenal NJ. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Picatinny Arsenal NJ?

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

Picatinny Arsenal

The Picatinny Arsenal (/ˈpɪkətɪni/ or /ˌpɪkəˈtɪni/) is an American military research and manufacturing facility located on 6,400 acres (26 km2) of land in Jefferson and Rockaway Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States, encompassing Picatinny Lake and Lake Denmark. The Arsenal is the headquarters of the United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center. It is known for developing the ubiquitous Picatinny rail, as well as being the army's center of expertise for small arms cartridge ammunition.

The facility was founded in 1880 as the Picatinny Powder Depot. Soon afterward, the navy acquired a portion of the arsenal to establish the Lake Denmark Powder Depot, later known as Lake Denmark Naval Ammunition Depot.[1] It manufactured gunpowder until after World War I, at which time the facility also began producing heavy munitions and grew more involved in research and development activities. During World War II Picatinny was a major large-caliber-round loading plant with 18,000 employees. Today, the facility develops new technologies for the US Armed Forces and builds various munitions, weapons and armor systems.

Picatinny Arsenal is also home to the US Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Directorate. This group is responsible for the creation of tools, equipment, and procedures for US Army EOD personnel. Some of their more recent inventions were the use of weapons on a robot platform and the SWORDS robot. Their building has been recently renamed in honor of one of their deceased soldiers, SFC Scott "Smitty" Smith, who was killed in Iraq in July 2006.

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician School near Picatinny Arsenal NJ

Picatinny Arsenal NJ vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate vet tech program is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech schools need to make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the best college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Picatinny Arsenal NJ.