Category Archives: Connecticut

Vet Tech Schools near Stratford CT 06497

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Stratford Connecticut

Stratford CT vet tech holding dog during examAchieving your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinarian program near Stratford CT could initially seem like a daunting task. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. After they have found some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the various duties of veterinary assistants and techs and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician and Assistant

Stratford CT vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyOne of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Stratford CT veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training 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 vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Stratford CT. 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 example assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
  • Vet Technicians get more extensive training in contrast 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 equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet technicians and technologists can 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 labs or Stratford CT area research facilities also.

Vet Online Training Programs

attending vet tech school online in Stratford CTAn option that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Stratford CT veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you select 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 dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech or assistant school may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Tech Degree Programs

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Stratford CTBy now you should 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 trade schools in Connecticut as well as across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the Stratford CT veterinary assistant and technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary tech or assistant college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Stratford CT veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation?  The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Connecticut school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Stratford CT vet clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech or assistant is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with regional veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local Stratford CT veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary assistant or technician college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the Stratford CT college has an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Stratford CT programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from home or work, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with 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 Stratford CT campus is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the Connecticut veterinary colleges you are evaluating 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. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available near Stratford CT before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Veterinary Technician?

When prepping to interview for a veterinary job, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask veterinary candidates is "What compelled you to choose veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for being a vet assistant, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an exceptional vet tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Vet Technologist Degree Program near Stratford CT

Choosing the appropriate vet assistant or tech program is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for animals. Students looking into veterinary assistant or tech schools must make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary techs, assistants and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential 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 schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist in Stratford CT.

A Little Bit About Stratford CT

Stratford, Connecticut

Stratford is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is situated on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Housatonic River. Stratford is in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was founded by Puritans in 1639.

The population was 51,384 as of the 2010 census.[1] It has a historical legacy in aviation, the military, and theater. Stratford is bordered on the west by Bridgeport, to the north by Trumbull and Shelton, and on the east by Milford (across the Housatonic River).

Stratford was founded in 1639 as "the plantation at Pequonnocke",[2] by Puritan leader Reverend Adam Blakeman, William Beardsley, and either 16 families—according to legend—or approximately 35 families—suggested by later research—who had recently arrived in Connecticut from England seeking religious freedom. In 1640 the community was known as Cupheag Plantation. By April 13, 1643, the growing town was known as Stratford, changed to honor Stratford-upon-Avon in England.

 

 

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