Tag Archives: Schools with Vet Tech Programs New Hartford CT 06057

Vet Tech Schools near New Hartford CT 06057

How to Find the Right Veterinary Assistant Training near New Hartford Connecticut

New Hartford CT vet tech holding dog during examRealizing your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet college near New Hartford CT could initially seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you must find and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. After they have identified some local colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are looking at before you make a final selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the various roles of veterinary techs and assistants and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Vet Assistant and Technician

New Hartford CT vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyOne of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal 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 immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many tasks that they can perform within the New Hartford CT veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialization.

  • Vet Assistants in the majority of 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 trade school or community college near New Hartford CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
  • Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination 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 required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Veterinary Training Programs

attending vet tech school online in New Hartford CTAn approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local New Hartford CT veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary tech or assistant program may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Tech Training Programs

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in New Hartford CTBy now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in Connecticut as well as across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the New Hartford CT vet technician and assistant colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It’s important that you make sure that the vet technician or assistant program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously 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 gone through a demanding screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a precondition for employment for many New Hartford CT veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation?  The vet trade school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Connecticut school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some New Hartford CT vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet assistant or tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with area veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local New Hartford CT veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary assistant or tech 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 low rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the New Hartford CT program has an exceptional reputation within the vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the New Hartford CT programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet technician classes from work or home, you have to make certain 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the New Hartford CT campus is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the Connecticut veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available near New Hartford CT prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Veterinary Assistant?

When preparing to interview for a veterinary job, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask veterinary applicants is "What drove you to decide on veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being a vet assistant, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should organize some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent vet tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Best Vet Assistant School near New Hartford CT

Picking the appropriate vet assistant or tech school is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet assistant or tech programs need to make their decision based on a number of key issues. Vet techs, assistants and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist in New Hartford CT.

A Little Bit About New Hartford CT

Hartford, Connecticut

Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was the seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making it Connecticut's third-largest city after the coastal cities of Bridgeport and New Haven. Census Bureau estimates since then have indicated Hartford's fall to fourth place statewide, as a result of sustained population growth in the coastal city of Stamford.[2]

Hartford is nicknamed the "Insurance Capital of the World", as it hosts many insurance company headquarters and insurance is the region's major industry. The city was founded in 1635 and is among the oldest cities in the United States. It is home to the nation's oldest public art museum (Wadsworth Atheneum), the oldest publicly funded park (Bushnell Park), the oldest continuously published newspaper (The Hartford Courant), and the second-oldest secondary school (Hartford Public High School). It also is home to Trinity College, a private liberal arts college, and the Mark Twain House where the author wrote his most famous works and raised his family, among other historically significant attractions. Twain wrote in 1868, "Of all the beautiful towns it has been my fortune to see this is the chief."[3]

Following the American Civil War, Hartford was the richest city in the United States for several decades.[4] Today, Hartford is one of the poorest cities in the nation, with 3 out of every 10 families living below the poverty line. In sharp contrast, the Hartford metropolitan area is ranked 32nd of 318 metropolitan areas in total economic production and 7th out of 280 metropolitan statistical areas in per capita income. Highlighting the socio-economic disparity between Hartford and its suburbs, 83% of Hartford's jobs are filled by commuters from neighboring towns who earn over $80,000, while 75% of Hartford residents who commute to work in other towns earn just $40,000.[5]

 

 

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