How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Training near Ivoryton Connecticut
Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary college near Ivoryton CT could initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their residences. When they have located some area schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant 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 evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are considering before you make a final selection. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied duties of vet techs and assistants and the training options available.
The Responsibilities of a Vet Assistant and Tech
Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Ivoryton CT veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each position.
- Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college near Ivoryton CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
- Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and generally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent 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 included in more complex duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Ivoryton CT area research facilities also.
Vet Online Colleges
An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Ivoryton CT veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you choose 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 dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet technician or assistant program may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technologist Degree Programs
By now you should have selected which veterinary certificate or degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in Connecticut as well as across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the Ivoryton CT vet assistant and technician schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary tech or assistant college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary 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 degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Ivoryton CT veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations 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 recommendation, phone some Ivoryton CT veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet assistant or technician is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with regional veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local Ivoryton CT vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet assistant or tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate may mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the Ivoryton CT school has an exceptional reputation within the vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Ivoryton CT schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from home or work, you need to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the Ivoryton CT college is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the Connecticut vet colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered near Ivoryton CT prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.
Why Did You Choose to Become a Veterinary Technician?
When getting ready to interview for a veterinary job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask veterinary prospects is "What drove you to select veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being a vet tech, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to veterinary care, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you should organize a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent vet tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.Choose the Right Veterinary Technician Degree Program near Ivoryton CT
Selecting the right veterinary assistant or tech school is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Students thinking about vet tech or assistant programs need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Vet techs, assistants and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you pick 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 reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the ideal college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, tech or technologist in Ivoryton CT.
A Little Bit About Ivoryton CT
Ivoryton Playhouse
The Ivoryton Playhouse is a small professional theater located in the village of Ivoryton in the town of Essex, Connecticut, USA. The theatre is believed to be the first self-supporting summer theatre in the United States and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It produces shows year round, March through December. As Comstock-Cheney Hall, it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Construction began in 1910 and was completed 1911 as a recreation hall for the Comstock-Cheney factory.[2] The building includes Classical Revival architecture. When listed the property included three contributing buildings on an area of 0.6 acres (0.24 ha).[1][3]
Milton Stiefel was an actor who eventually became the right hand and confidant of David Belasco, considered one of the greatest directors to emerge from American theatre. After Belasco's death in May 1931, Stiefel continued as manager and stage director for many extravagant shows which traveled nationally, playing in every major American city. At the end of one of these tours, Stiefel came to Essex in order to rest, saw the unused recreation hall and thought it would be well-suited to accommodate a resident stock company. A Broadway comedy play titled "Broken Dishes" had just closed in New York (reportedly with Bette Davis in her first Broadway role), and Stiefel opened it in Ivoryton during the week of June 17, 1930. Thus the Ivoryton Playhouse came to be.
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