Tag Archives: How to Become a Vet Tech in Preston CT 06365

Vet Tech Schools near Preston CT 06365

How to Find the Right Vet Tech Training near Preston Connecticut

Preston CT vet tech holding dog during examRealizing your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet college near Preston CT might initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. After they have located some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have provided several within 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 offered.

The Job of a Vet Technician and Assistant

Preston CT vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyAmong the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Preston CT veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.

  • Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college near Preston CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
  • Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. So the only real 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 potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Preston CT area research facilities also.

Veterinarian Online Degree Programs

attending vet tech school online in Preston CTAn option that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at an area Preston CT veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician or assistant program may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Schools

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Preston CTBy now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Connecticut and across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the Preston CT veterinary technician and assistant colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It’s important that you verify that the veterinary technician or assistant college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Preston CT vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation?  The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Connecticut school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Preston CT veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet assistant or technician is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with local veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local Preston CT veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet technician or assistant program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the Preston CT college has an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Preston CT colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from home or work, you have to confirm that the commuting 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 Preston CT college is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college 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 could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the Connecticut veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available near Preston CT before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Why Did You Want to Be a Vet Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a veterinary position, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask veterinary applicants is "What drove you to choose veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being a veterinary technician, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Because there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional vet tech and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Vet Assistant College near Preston CT

Picking the ideal veterinary technician program is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students looking into veterinary assistant or tech programs must make their selection based on a number of key issues. Vet techs, assistants and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the right college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet assistant, tech or technologist in Preston CT.

A Little Bit About Preston CT

Preston, Connecticut

Preston is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,726 at the 2010 census.[1] The town includes the villages of Long Society, Preston City, and Poquetanuck.

In 1686, Thomas Parke, Thomas Tracy, and several others petitioned for and were granted by the Connecticut General Court authority to establish a plantation seven miles square to the east of Norwich and north of New London and Stonington. Owaneco, son of the Mohegan sachem Uncas, gave a confirmatory deed for the land in 1687. In October of that same year, the town was formally incorporated as Preston, named for the English city of Preston, Lancashire.[2][3]

Early trades in the area included shoe making, metal smithing, shipbuilding, and brickmaking.[4]

 

 

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