Tag Archives: Colleges with Veterinary Technician Programs Sterling CT 06377

Vet Tech Schools near Sterling CT 06377

How to Choose a Vet Assistant School near Sterling Connecticut

Sterling CT vet tech holding dog during examAchieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary program near Sterling CT could initially seem like a challenging task. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will furnish the necessary training so that you can be successful as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. When they have found some area colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are considering before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the different responsibilities of veterinary techs and assistants and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Assistant and Technician

Sterling CT vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyAmong the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What vet 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 Sterling CT veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

  • Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school near Sterling CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
  • Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and generally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Sterling CT area research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Schools

attending vet tech school online in Sterling CTAn alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at an area Sterling CT veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician or assistant school may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Degree Programs

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Sterling CTBy now you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in Connecticut and across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the Sterling CT vet assistant and tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet assistant or tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for many Sterling CT veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Connecticut school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Sterling CT veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best way to get practical hands on experience as a vet assistant or technician is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with regional veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local Sterling CT veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary assistant or tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate might indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied 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 higher placement rate may signify that the Sterling CT school has an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Sterling CT colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students concerning 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?  Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary assistant classes from work or home, you have to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the Sterling CT college is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the Connecticut veterinarian schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered near Sterling CT before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Veterinary Technician?

When preparing to interview for a veterinary job, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask veterinary applicants is "What made you choose veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming a vet tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding vet tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Best Vet Technologist Training Program near Sterling CT

Enrolling in the ideal vet technician college is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering veterinary tech or assistant colleges must make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary techs, assistants and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet assistant, technician or technologist in Sterling CT.

A Little Bit About Sterling CT

Sterling, Connecticut

Sterling is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,099 at the 2000 census.

The town was incorporated in 1794 following approval of the CT Assembly, and was carved from northern part of the Town of Voluntown. Le Comte de Rochambeau, Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, marched through and camped in the town during the American Revolutionary War on his way from landing at Narragansett Bay to join George Washington's forces on the Hudson River in 1781. A cotton mill was first established in Sterling in 1800. Charles Dow, of Dow Jones fame, was born in this community.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 27.3 square miles (71 km2), of which, 27.2 square miles (70 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.29%) is water.

 

 

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