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How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near Nanuet New York

Nanuet NY vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Nanuet NY could initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach assessing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. After they have found some area schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Nanuet NY

cat with cone after surgery in Nanuet NY One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Nanuet NY veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years to complete. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Nanuet

student attending online vet tech school in Nanuet NY An option that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Nanuet NY veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Nanuet NY Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Nanuet NY vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Nanuet NY area and across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for a number of Nanuet NY area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New York school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Nanuet NY veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Nanuet NY veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate may indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Nanuet NY veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Nanuet NY colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a few 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 College Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Nanuet NY home, you have to make certain that the driving 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 college is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Nanuet NY. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Nanuet NY?

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

Nanuet, New York

Nanuet is a hamlet and census-designated place in the town of Clarkstown, Rockland County, New York, United States. It is located north of Pearl River, south of New City, east of Spring Valley, and west of West Nyack. It is located midway between Manhattan and Bear Mountain, 19 miles (31 km) north and south of each respectively; and 2 miles (3 km) north of the New Jersey border. It has one of three Rockland County stations on New Jersey Transit's Pascack Valley Line. The population of Nanuet was 17,882 at the 2010 census.[1]

The opening of the New York State Thruway (Interstate 87/287), the Tappan Zee Bridge, and the Palisades Interstate Parkway in the 1950s helped usher in decades of population growth and real estate development, including the construction of the Nanuet Mall and local shopping centers.[2]

In 2011, CNN Money ranked Nanuet 76 on its annual 100 Best Places to Live list,[3] citing its relatively inexpensive housing and the recreation and shopping opportunities in the area. Nanuet was also ranked 24th on CNN Money's annual 100 Best Places to Live list in 2007.[4]

Choose the Right Veterinary Technician College near Nanuet NY

Nanuet NY vet tech holding dog Picking the right veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Students considering vet tech schools must make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, 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 online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Nanuet NY.