Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Dover Plains NY

How to Choose a Vet Tech Program near Dover Plains New York

Dover Plains NY vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Dover Plains NY might at first feel like a challenging task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their homes. When they have located some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech programs you are considering before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Dover Plains NY

cat with cone after surgery in Dover Plains NY Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many jobs that they can perform within the Dover Plains NY veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and normally acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion 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 complex duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Dover Plains NY laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Dover Plains

student attending online vet tech school in Dover Plains NY An alternative 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 training program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Dover Plains NY veterinary 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 commuting and study supplies, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you choose 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 mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Dover Plains NY Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Dover Plains NY vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinary degree that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Dover Plains NY area and across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Dover Plains NY area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the New York school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Dover Plains NY veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Dover Plains NY veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Dover Plains NY veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Dover Plains NY programs you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning 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 School Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Dover Plains NY home, you have to make certain 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Dover Plains NY. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Dover Plains NY?

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

Dover Plains, New York

Dover Plains is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in Dutchess County, New York, United States. The population was 1,323 at the 2010 census.[1] It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown Metropolitan Statistical Area.

It is not known when or by whom the first settlement was made in Dover Plains. Lawrence and Joseph ran the first store under the name Belding & Co. In 1802 the village had less than a dozen buildings. In 1806 Jonathan Mabbett and James Ketcham bought out the Beldings and ran the business under the name Mabbett & Ketcham. When the town of Dover was formed from the town of Pawling, James Ketcham became the first town clerk.[2]

George Casey was the first postmaster. Mail was delivered on horseback. When Casey left, James Ketcham was appointed to succeed him; he held the post for thirty years until he was replaced during the administration of President James K. Polk. James Ketcham served in the War of 1812. He was Town Supervisor for five years and a member of the State Legislature in 1814. Dr. Thomas Hammond was a surgeon during the war. He commenced his practice in Dover Plains in 1824 and continued to 1869.[2]

Select the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Dover Plains NY

Dover Plains NY vet tech holding dog Picking the right vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students looking into veterinary technician colleges must make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs 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 choice. And by picking the best college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Dover Plains NY.