Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools New Rochelle NY

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near New Rochelle New York

New Rochelle NY vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near New Rochelle NY may initially feel like a challenging task. After all, you must find and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the right choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. When they have identified some local colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in New Rochelle NY

cat with cone after surgery in New Rochelle NY Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of duties that they can perform within the New Rochelle NY veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialization.

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 completing 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 performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and generally earn 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 duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in New Rochelle NY labs or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in New Rochelle

student attending online vet tech school in New Rochelle NY An option that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local New Rochelle NY veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical 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 school may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask New Rochelle NY Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask New Rochelle NY vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the New Rochelle NY area as well as across the United States, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of New Rochelle NY area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New York school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some New Rochelle NY vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with New Rochelle NY veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate may indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the New Rochelle NY veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the New Rochelle NY programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your New Rochelle NY home, you need to make sure 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 campus is located near or in a larger 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 fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinary 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 New Rochelle NY. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near New Rochelle NY?

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

New Rochelle, New York

In 2007, the city had a population of 73,260, making it the seventh-largest in the state of New York.[4] As of the 2010 Census, the city's population had increased to 77,062. In November 2008 Business Week magazine listed New Rochelle as the best city in New York State, and one of the best places nationally, to raise children.[5] In 2014, based on analysis of 550 U.S. cities, New Rochelle was voted the 13th best city to live in.[6]

The European settlement was started by refugee Huguenots (French Protestants) in 1688, who were fleeing religious persecution in France (such as dragonnade) after the revocation by the king of the Edict of Nantes. Many of the settlers were artisans and craftsmen from the city of La Rochelle, France, thus influencing the choice of the name of "New Rochelle".

Some 33 families established the community of la Nouvelle-Rochelle in 1688. A monument containing the names of these settlers stands in Hudson Park, the original landing point of the Huguenots.[7] Thirty-one years earlier, the Siwanoy Indians, a band of Algonquian-speaking Lenape (also known as the Delaware by English colonists) sold their land to Thomas Pell. In 1689 Pell officially deeded 6,100 acres (25 km2) for the establishment of a Huguenot community.[8] Jacob Leisler is an important figure in the early histories of both New Rochelle and the nation. He arrived in America as a mercenary in the British army and later became one of the most prominent merchants in New York. He was subsequently appointed acting-governor of the province, and it was during this time that he acted on behalf of the Huguenots.[9]

Select the Right Vet Tech School near New Rochelle NY

New Rochelle NY vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students looking into veterinary technician schools must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative 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 colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in New Rochelle NY.