Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Slate Hill NY

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Slate Hill New York

Slate Hill NY vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Slate Hill NY might initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. Once they have found some area colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important factors when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied duties of vet techs and the training options available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Slate Hill NY

cat with cone after surgery in Slate Hill NY Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you want 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 devote to your education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty 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 even though there are many duties that they can perform within the Slate Hill NY veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing 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 complicated activities, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and typically 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 vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination 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 Slate Hill NY laboratories or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Slate Hill

student attending online vet tech school in Slate Hill NY An approach that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Slate Hill 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 travel and study materials, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Slate Hill NY Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Slate Hill NY vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Slate Hill NY area as well as across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly regarded 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 obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Slate Hill NY area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet trade 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 colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New York school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Slate Hill NY veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Slate Hill NY veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Slate Hill NY veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Slate Hill NY programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Slate Hill NY home, you need to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Slate Hill NY. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Slate Hill NY?

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

Slate Hill, New York

Slate Hill is one of the eight hamlets found in the town of Wawayanda, New York. It is home to the Minisink Valley Central School District. Slate Hill is found in Orange County, New York, one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.[1] The area, along with its surrounding regions and the county in which it resides, has seen a recent surge in population growth that can be partially attributed to suburbanization from the New York City metropolitan area. This growth reached a peak in the post 9/11 era, but has since seen a decrease in the past 3 years.[2]

At the dawn of the American Revolution, a Native American by the name of Keghgekapowell supposedly received a patent for the land of present-day Slate Hill, as this is the name found on the Wawayanda Patent. When his tribe, probably from the Algonquin Nation of the Lenni Lenape, had left the land to go West, Keghgekapowell was said to have gone with them never to return. The site of his abandoned estate is located on a hill on present day Jogee Road. The road was named after Keghgekapowell since his name had taken the simpler form of Jogee by European settlers.[1]

One of the early settlers, Richard Wood, built Woodlawn Farm, and was one of the original members of the Primitive Baptist Church of Brookfield. Both his house and church, the oldest buildings in Slate Hill, still stand and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pick the Right Veterinary Technician School near Slate Hill NY

Slate Hill NY vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician programs must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Slate Hill NY.