How to Select a Veterinary Technician Training near Old Greenwich Connecticut
Achieving your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinarian college near Old Greenwich CT might initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing colleges so that you can make the right selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. Once they have located some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied duties of veterinary techs and assistants and the training alternatives available.
The Role of a Vet Assistant and Technician
One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish 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 invest in your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Old Greenwich CT veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialty.
- Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed 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 Old Greenwich CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
- Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. So the main 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, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Old Greenwich CT area research facilities also.
Veterinarian Online Schools
An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at an area Old Greenwich CT veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished 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 right choice for you.
Things to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technician Colleges
By now you probably have determined which veterinarian certificate or degree that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in Connecticut and across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a school 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 Old Greenwich CT vet technician and assistant programs that you are considering.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet technician or assistant program 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 gone through a rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Old Greenwich CT vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Connecticut school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Old Greenwich CT veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet assistant or tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with area veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local Old Greenwich CT veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet assistant or technician school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the Old Greenwich CT program has an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Old Greenwich CT colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary tech classes from home or work, you need to make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the Old Greenwich CT college is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the Connecticut vet programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered near Old Greenwich CT prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary 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 helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask veterinary prospects is "What made you select 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 tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to veterinary care, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to ready a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent vet tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician Degree Program near Old Greenwich CT
Choosing the appropriate veterinary assistant or tech school is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering veterinary tech or assistant schools must make their decision based on a number of key factors. Vet techs, assistants and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs 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 selection. And by selecting the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet technician, assistant or technologist in Old Greenwich CT.
A Little Bit About Old 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]
More Cities of Interest in Connecticut