Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Valley Cottage NY

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near Valley Cottage New York

Valley Cottage NY vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Valley Cottage NY might initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. When they have located some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant concerns when comparing vet tech programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Valley Cottage NY

cat with cone after surgery in Valley Cottage NY One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Valley Cottage NY veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and normally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Valley Cottage NY laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Valley Cottage

student attending online vet tech school in Valley Cottage NY An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Valley Cottage NY veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for traveling and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical 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 perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Valley Cottage NY Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Valley Cottage NY vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Valley Cottage NY area and across the Country, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting 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 college is often a precondition for employment for many Valley Cottage NY area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New York school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Valley Cottage NY veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Valley Cottage NY veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Valley Cottage NY veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Valley Cottage NY programs you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Valley Cottage NY home, you need to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Valley Cottage NY. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Valley Cottage NY?

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

Valley Cottage, New York

Valley Cottage is a hamlet and census-designated place in the town of Clarkstown, Rockland County, New York, United States. It is located northeast of West Nyack, northwest of Central Nyack east of Bardonia, south of Congers, northwest of Nyack,[1] and west of Upper Nyack. The population was 9,107 at the 2010 census.[2]

At the census[4] of 2000, there were 9,269 people, 3,347 households, and 2,379 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,168.7 per square mile (838.1/km2). There were 3,410 housing units at an average density of 797.9/sq mi (308.3/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.16% White, 3.59% African American, 0.09% Native American, 9.81% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.89% from other races, and 2.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.71% of the population.

There were 3,347 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.20.

Choose the Right Vet Tech School near Valley Cottage NY

Valley Cottage NY vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech school is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech programs need to make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online 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 selection. And by picking the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Valley Cottage NY.