Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Southampton NY

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Southampton New York

Southampton NY vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Southampton NY may at first seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a college that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach assessing and contrasting schools so that you can make the best choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their residences. When they have identified some local colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant factors when evaluating vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Southampton NY

cat with cone after surgery in Southampton NY One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Southampton NY veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to assistants and typically earn a two 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 veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar 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 typically takes 4 years to complete. Therefore 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 work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Southampton

student attending online vet tech school in Southampton NY An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Southampton NY 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, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Southampton NY Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Southampton NY vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Southampton NY area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly respected 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 confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Southampton NY area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New York school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Southampton NY veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Southampton NY veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Southampton NY vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Southampton NY programs you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Southampton NY home, you must make sure that the driving time fits into 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, particularly if the campus is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Southampton NY. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family issues. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Southampton NY?

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

Southampton, New York

Southampton, officially the Town of Southampton, is a town located in southeastern Suffolk County, New York, partly on the South Fork of Long Island. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town had a total population of 56,790. Southampton is included in the stretch of shoreline prominently known as The Hamptons.

The town was founded when settlers from Lynn, Massachusetts established residence on lands obtained from local Shinnecock Indian Nation in 1640. The first settlers included eight men, one woman, and a boy who came ashore at Conscience Point. These men were Thomas Halsey, Edward Howell, Edmond Farrington, Edmund Needham, Abraham Pierson the Elder, Thomas Sayre, Josiah Stanborough, George Welbe, Henry Walton and Job Sayre. By July 7, 1640, they had determined the town boundaries. During the next few years (1640–43), Southampton was further increased in population by 43 families.

From 1644, the colonists established an organised whale fishery, significant in the history of whaling as the first in New England. They chased pilot whales ("blackfish") onto the shelving beaches for slaughter, a sort of dolphin drive hunting. They also processed drift whales they found on shore. They observed the Native Americans' hunting techniques, improved on their weapons and boats, and then went out to ocean hunting.[3]

Choose the Best Veterinary Technician College near Southampton NY

Southampton NY vet tech holding dog Selecting the right vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. 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 narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Southampton NY.