Tag Archives: Schools with Veterinary Technician Programs Lakeside CT 06758

Vet Tech Schools near Lakeside CT 06758

How to Pick a Veterinary Assistant School near Lakeside Connecticut

Lakeside CT vet tech holding dog during examRealizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinarian school near Lakeside CT could initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a school that will provide the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have found some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied roles of veterinary assistants and techs and the training options offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician and Assistant

Lakeside CT vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyOne of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many duties that they can carry out within the Lakeside CT veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

  • Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Lakeside CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
  • Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and typically obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
  • Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. Therefore the main 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, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinarian Online Colleges

attending vet tech school online in Lakeside CTAn approach that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Lakeside CT veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for travel and study supplies, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech or assistant program may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Programs

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Lakeside CTBy now you should have determined which veterinary certificate or degree that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in Connecticut and across the USA, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the Lakeside CT veterinary assistant and technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary tech or assistant college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for many Lakeside CT veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation?  The veterinarian trade school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school rating 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 violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Lakeside CT veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with local veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local Lakeside CT veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet technician or assistant school can 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 reviewing. A low rate might indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the Lakeside CT school has an exceptional reputation within the vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Lakeside CT schools you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary tech classes from home or work, you must make certain that the driving 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 Lakeside CT school is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it’s important that you find out if the Connecticut veterinarian programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available near Lakeside CT before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Why Did You Want to Become a Veterinary Technician?

When prepping to interview for a veterinary job, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask veterinary candidates is "What drove you to select veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for being a veterinary technician, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to veterinary care, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must organize some ideas about how you would like to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional vet tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Lakeside CT

Picking the right vet technician program is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about vet tech or assistant programs need to make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary techs, assistants and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients 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 profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet assistant, technician or technologist in Lakeside CT.

A Little Bit About Lakeside CT

Morris, Connecticut

Morris is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 2,388 at the 2010 census. The town consists of rolling hill country surrounding Bantam Lake, the largest natural lake in the state, covering about 1,200.5 acres (4.858 km2).

Morris was settled about 1723 and organized in 1767 as the South Farms parish of Litchfield. Morris was initially a farming community. It was incorporated as a separate town in 1859 and named for James Morris (1752–1820) a Revolutionary War soldier, who opened an academy in town in 1790. The ruins of the academy sit adjacent to the current James Morris Elementary school. Morris played a role in the Revolutionary War with many homes serving as quarters for revolutionaries from Maine and Vermont during their journey south to battles in New York.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 18.7 square miles (48 km2), of which, 17.2 square miles (45 km2) of it is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2) of it (8.17%) is water.

 

 

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