Tag Archives: Schools for Vet Techs Greenwich CT 06830

Vet Tech Schools near Greenwich CT 06830

How to Choose a Veterinary Assistant School near Greenwich Connecticut

Greenwich CT vet tech holding dog during examFulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary college near Greenwich CT might initially feel like a challenging endeavor. After all, you need to 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 go about evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. After they have located some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the varied responsibilities of vet assistants and techs and the training options available.

The Job of a Vet Assistant and Tech

Greenwich CT vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyOne of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many duties that they can carry out within the Greenwich CT veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

  • Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college near Greenwich CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
  • Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
  • Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years. Therefore the only real distinction 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 possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Veterinary Schools

attending vet tech school online in Greenwich CTAn alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at an area Greenwich CT veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for traveling and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet technician or assistant program may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Colleges

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Greenwich CTAt this point you should have selected which veterinary certificate or degree that you want to attain, 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 technical schools in Connecticut as well as across the United States, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the Greenwich CT veterinary assistant and tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It’s important that you verify that the veterinary assistant or tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Greenwich CT vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on 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 complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Greenwich CT veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech or assistant is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with area veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local Greenwich CT veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet assistant or tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the Greenwich CT college has an excellent reputation within the vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Greenwich CT schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet assistant classes from work or home, you need to make sure that the commuting time fits into 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 Greenwich CT campus is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose 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, attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the Connecticut veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered near Greenwich CT prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet education into your active life.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Vet Assistant?

When preparing to interview for a veterinary job, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask veterinary prospects is "What made you decide on veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming a vet assistant, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to veterinary care, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must organize several strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the talents you have that make you an outstanding vet tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Pick the Best Vet Tech School near Greenwich CT

Picking the ideal vet technician school is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Students thinking about vet tech or assistant schools need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Vet techs, assistants and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent 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 selecting the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, tech or technologist in Greenwich CT.

A Little Bit About Greenwich CT

Greenwich, Connecticut

Greenwich /ˈɡrɛnɪtʃ/ is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States.[1] As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171.[2] The largest town on Connecticut's Gold Coast, it is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut as well as the six-state region of New England. It takes roughly 40–50 minutes by train from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.[3]CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Greenwich 12th on its list of the "100 Best Places to Live in the United States" in 2005.[4] The town is named after Greenwich, a borough of London in the United Kingdom.[5]

The town of Greenwich was settled in 1640. One of the founders was Elizabeth Fones Winthrop, daughter-in-law of John Winthrop, founder and Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. What is now called Greenwich Point was known for much of the area's early history as "Elizabeth's Neck" in recognition of Elizabeth Fones and their 1640 purchase of the Point and much of the area now known as Old Greenwich.[6] Greenwich was declared a township by the General Assembly in Hartford on May 11, 1665.[7]

During the American Revolution, General Israel Putnam made a daring escape from the British on February 26, 1779. Although British forces pillaged the town, Putnam was able to warn Stamford.[7]

 

 

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