How to Enroll In a Vet Assistant College near Haddam Connecticut
Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinarian program near Haddam CT might initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. When they have identified some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important factors when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied roles of veterinary techs and assistants and the training alternatives available.
The Job of a Veterinary Assistant and Tech
Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to 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 even though there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the Haddam CT veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialty.
- Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through 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 Haddam 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 associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
- Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians 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 required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Veterinary technicians and technologists can 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 labs or Haddam CT area research facilities also.
Vet Online Training Classes
An approach that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at an area Haddam CT veterinary 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 example for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech or assistant school may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Degree Programs
By now you probably have determined which veterinarian certificate or degree that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Connecticut and across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the Haddam CT veterinary assistant and tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet assistant or tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for a number of Haddam CT veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting 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 pointer, contact some Haddam CT veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet assistant or tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with local veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local Haddam CT veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet assistant or tech college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the Haddam CT college has an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly 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 in size, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Haddam CT schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning 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? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet assistant classes from work or home, you must confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the Haddam CT college is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the Connecticut veterinarian schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working 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. Confirm that the class times you require are offered near Haddam CT before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.
Why Did You Choose to Be a Vet Assistant?
When getting ready to interview for a veterinary job, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask veterinary candidates is "What made you pick veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming a vet assistant, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to veterinary care, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must ready several ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an outstanding vet tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Haddam CT
Choosing the ideal vet assistant or tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students looking into veterinary assistant or tech 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 commonly handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet assistant, technician or technologist in Haddam CT.
A Little Bit About Haddam CT
Haddam, Connecticut
Haddam is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 7,157 at the 2000 census. The town was also home to the now decommissioned Connecticut Yankee nuclear reactor.[2]
Haddam, in Middlesex County, is located in south-central Connecticut in the lower Connecticut River Valley. It is also home to Cockaponset State Forest. Incorporated in October 1668 as Hadham, It was later renamed Haddam due to people saying Hadham too fast. Haddam is the only town in Connecticut divided by the Connecticut River. It contains five villages – Hidden Lake, Higganum, Shailerville, and Tylerville on the west side of the river, and Haddam Neck on the east. For the first two hundred years of the town’s existence, the Connecticut River was a major source of income and transportation. Today, the town of Haddam is a residential community.[3]
The town was named for Much Hadham and Little Hadham in Hertfordshire, England, collectively known as The Hadhams.[4]
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