How to Find the Right Vet Assistant College near Hamden Connecticut
Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet school near Hamden CT may initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the correct choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. After they have found some nearby schools, they determine 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. Qualifiers 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 considering before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the varied duties of vet assistants and techs and the training options offered.
The Function of a Vet Tech and Assistant
One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal factor 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 immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can perform within the Hamden CT veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each position.
- Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Hamden 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 involved with more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
- Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and normally earn a 2 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 basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated functions, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Hamden CT area research facilities also.
Veterinarian Online Training Classes
An option that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at an area Hamden CT veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary tech or assistant program may be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technician Programs
By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in Connecticut and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the Hamden CT vet assistant and technician programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet assistant or tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. 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 rigorous screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Hamden CT veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Connecticut school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Hamden CT veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet assistant or technician is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with regional veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local Hamden CT vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary assistant or tech school may be difficult 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 may mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the Hamden CT college has an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Hamden CT colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary assistant classes from work or home, you must make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the Hamden CT college is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do opt 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 taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you determine if the Connecticut veterinary schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered near Hamden CT prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.
Why Did You Decide to Become a Vet Assistant?
When getting ready to interview for a veterinary position, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask veterinary prospects is "What made you pick veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming a vet tech, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you want to address them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent vet tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.Choose the Best Veterinary Technician College near Hamden CT
Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary assistant or tech college is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering vet tech or assistant colleges must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary assistants, techs and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online programs 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 choice. And by choosing the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist in Hamden CT.
A Little Bit About Hamden CT
Hamden, Connecticut
Hamden is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town's nickname is "The Land of the Sleeping Giant." The population was 60,960 at the 2010 census.[1] Hamden is a suburb of the city of New Haven.
The town of Hamden ranked #53 in the CNN Money list of "America's best small cities" in 2012. In 2008, Fortune Magazine and CNN Money picked Hamden as #33 on their "Best Place to Live and Launch" list, citing Hamden's great blend of urban and suburban lifestyles. The article also pointed out Hamden's exceptional education system as well as its "New England Charm".[2]
Originally settled by Puritans as part of the town of New Haven, Hamden was purchased by William Christopher Reilly and the Reverend John Davenport in 1638 from the local Quinnipiack Native American tribe. It remained a part of New Haven until 1786 when 1,400 local residents incorporated the area as a separate town, naming it after the English statesman John Hampden.
More Cities of Interest in Connecticut