Tag Archives: AVMA Accredited Vet Tech Schools Old Lyme CT 06371

Vet Tech Schools near Old Lyme CT 06371

How to Choose a Vet Tech Program near Old Lyme Connecticut

Old Lyme CT vet tech holding dog during examAchieving your long term aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary school near Old Lyme CT might initially seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you must search for and enroll in a school that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you tackle evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. Once they have located some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only critical 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 need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the various duties of vet techs and assistants and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Assistant and Technician

Old Lyme CT vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyAmong the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Old Lyme CT veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

  • Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Old Lyme CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
  • Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and generally earn a two 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 general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
  • Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Courses

attending vet tech school online in Old Lyme CTAn alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Old Lyme 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 expenses, such as for travel and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician or assistant school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Vet Assistant and Tech Training Programs

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Old Lyme CTBy now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in Connecticut as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying 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 already mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the Old Lyme CT veterinary technician and assistant schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It’s important that you verify that the vet technician or assistant school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Old Lyme CT veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation?  The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Connecticut school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Old Lyme CT veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with area veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local Old Lyme CT veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech or assistant program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate might indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the Old Lyme CT college has an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Old Lyme CT programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from work or home, you have to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the Old Lyme CT school is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the Connecticut vet programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available near Old Lyme CT prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Vet Tech?

When prepping to interview for a veterinary position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask veterinary applicants is "What drove you to choose veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for being a vet tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to veterinary care, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding vet tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Vet Technologist School near Old Lyme CT

Choosing the appropriate vet technician school is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students thinking about vet tech or assistant schools must make their determination based on multiple key factors. Vet techs, assistants and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist in Old Lyme CT.

A Little Bit About Old Lyme CT

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Old Lyme is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The Main Street of the town, Lyme Street, is a historic district. The town has long been a popular summer resort and artists' colony. The town is named after Lyme Regis, England.

The US headquarters of Sennheiser is located in Old Lyme, as is Callaway Cars, the Florence Griswold Museum (including the Florence Griswold House), the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, and the Lyme Art Association. Old Lyme and its neighboring town Lyme are the namesake for Lyme disease.

The town of Old Lyme contains several villages, including Black Hall, Laysville, Lyme, Soundview, and South Lyme. The total population of the town was 7,603 at the 2010 census.[1]

 

 

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