Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools West Townshend VT

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near West Townshend Vermont

West Townshend VT vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near West Townshend VT might at first seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a school that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and contrasting schools so that you can make the correct selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their residences. When they have found some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when evaluating vet technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at 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 discuss the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in West Townshend VT

cat with cone after surgery in West Townshend VT One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the West Townshend VT veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed 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 techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially carry out 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 technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in West Townshend VT labs or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in West Townshend

student attending online vet tech school in West Townshend VT An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local West Townshend VT veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. 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 provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask West Townshend VT Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask West Townshend VT vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the West Townshend VT area and across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously 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 an extensive review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a requirement for employment for many West Townshend VT area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian 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 checking with online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Vermont school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some West Townshend VT vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with West Townshend VT veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can 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 school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the West Townshend VT vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly 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 probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the West Townshend VT schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your West Townshend VT home, you need to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online could 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 important that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near West Townshend VT. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near West Townshend VT?

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

West Townshend, Vermont

West Townshend is an unincorporated village in Townshend, Vermont, United States. It is located on the north side of a bend in the West River, upriver of the Townshend Dam. The entire village is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the West Townshend Village Historic District.

West Townshend is located in central western Townshend. It is located at the northern edge of a bend in the West River, which flows northward from the west, around the bend and then southward to the Townshend Dam, located several miles downriver. The river valley has relatively steep hillsides, with a floodplain that widens at the bend that was deemed suitable for agriculture. Most of the village is strung out along Vermont Route 30, which is aligned to be above the highest waters of Townshend Lake, which was created by the dam. A few town roads extend northward, following branches of Tannery Brook, and an old alignment of VT 30 at the western end of the village also has a few houses.[2]

Townshend was chartered in 1753, but was not settled until the 1760s, after the French and Indian War. Samuel Fletcher, a Massachusetts native, came to the area that is West Townshend, and built the first frame house in Townshend in about 1785, which survives in part in the southeastern part of the village. The village grew around sawmills and gristmills built along Tannery Brook, and reached its height of population and industry in the mid-19th century. The village suffered significant damage in the New England Hurricane of 1938, and was further reduced with the construction of Townshend Dam in the 1950s, which forced a realignment of VT 30.[2]

Select the Best Veterinary Technician Program near West Townshend VT

West Townshend VT vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech program is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into vet tech colleges must make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in West Townshend VT.