Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Springfield VT

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Springfield Vermont

Springfield VT vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Springfield VT might at first seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their residences. When they have identified some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Springfield VT

cat with cone after surgery in Springfield VT One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the Springfield VT veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational 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, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may 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 Springfield VT labs or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Springfield

student attending online vet tech school in Springfield VT An option that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Springfield VT veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. 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 manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Springfield VT Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Springfield VT vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Springfield VT area as well as across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Springfield VT area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Vermont school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Springfield VT veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of 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 clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Springfield VT veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate might signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Springfield VT vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify 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 individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Springfield VT colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Springfield VT home, you must confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Springfield VT. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Springfield VT?

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

Springfield, Vermont

One of the New Hampshire grants, the township was chartered on August 20, 1761 by Governor Benning Wentworth and awarded to Gideon Lyman and 61 others. Although Springfield's alluvial flats made it among the best agricultural towns in the state, the Black River falls, which drop 110 feet (33.5 m) in 1/8 of a mile (201 m), helped it develop into a mill town.[4] Springfield was located in the center of the Precision Valley region, home of the Vermont machine tool industry.

In 1888, the Jones and Lamson Machine Tool Company (J&L) moved to Springfield from Windsor, Vermont under the successful leadership of James Hartness. Gaining international renown for precision and innovation, J&L ushered in a new era of precision manufacturing in the area. Edwin R. Fellows co-founded the Fellows Gear Shaper Company here in 1896. As knowledge and infrastructure grew to support precision machining, other companies such as the Bryant Chucking Grinder Company and Lovejoy Tool formed, grew, and provided much of the economic engine. Springfield Telescope Makers, the oldest amateur telescope makers' club in the United States, has been headquartered in Springfield since its inception in 1920. The club's clubhouse, Stellafane, located on the campus of Stellafane Observatory has hosted a convention for the geographically scattered club since 1927. During World War II, Springfield's production of machine tools was of such importance to the American war effort that the US government ranked Springfield (together with the Cone at Windsor) as the seventh most important bombing target in the country.[5]

Springfield is also home to the Eureka Schoolhouse, the oldest one-room school in the state of Vermont. Completed in 1790, the building was in continuous use until 1900 and was restored in 1968 by the Vermont Board of Historic Sites. The school house was named by its first teacher, David Searle, who, after a long journey through the new frontier was heard to cry "Eureka!" upon reaching the new settlement of Springfield. The name stuck, and "Eureka" can still be found in street and business names throughout Springfield.[6]

Enroll in the Best Vet Tech Program near Springfield VT

Springfield VT vet tech holding dog Choosing the right veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students thinking about vet tech schools need to make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important 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 provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Springfield VT.