Vet Tech Schools near Montville CT 06353

How to Select a Veterinary Technician Program near Montville Connecticut

Montville CT vet tech holding dog during examAchieving your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinarian program near Montville CT might at first feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will furnish the necessary training so that you can be successful as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you tackle assessing and contrasting schools so that you can make the right choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their residences. Once they have located some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the varied duties of veterinary assistants and techs and the training options available.

The Function of a Vet Tech and Assistant

Montville CT vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyAmong the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many duties that they can perform within the Montville CT veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each position.

  • Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college near Montville CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
  • Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain a 2 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 vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet technicians 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 job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Montville CT area research facilities also.

Veterinary Online Training Classes

attending vet tech school online in Montville CTAn approach that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at an area Montville CT veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary tech or assistant school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technologist Schools

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Montville CTAt this point you probably have selected which veterinary certificate or degree that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in Connecticut and across the Country, you need to ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the Montville CT veterinary assistant and technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It’s essential that you make sure that the vet assistant or technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among 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 demanding review process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Montville CT veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation?  The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Connecticut school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Montville CT veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet assistant or tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with regional veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local Montville CT veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet technician or assistant school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some 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 may signify that the Montville CT college has an exceptional reputation within the vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Montville CT colleges you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet assistant classes from home or work, you must confirm 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 Montville CT college 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 higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the Connecticut vet programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available near Montville CT prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Vet Assistant?

When prepping to interview for a veterinary position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters often 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 additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to veterinary care, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you should ready several approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding vet tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Best Veterinary Technologist Program near Montville CT

Selecting the ideal vet assistant or tech school is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students looking into veterinary tech or assistant schools need to make their determination based on several key issues. Veterinary techs, assistants and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, tech or technologist in Montville CT.

A Little Bit About Montville CT

Montville, Connecticut

Montville is a town in New London County, Connecticut in the United States. The population was 19,571 at the 2010 census.[1]

The villages of Chesterfield, Mohegan, Oakdale, and Uncasville are located within the town; the latter two have their own ZIP Codes. Town residents often identify with these villages more than the Town of Montville as a whole, and the Mohegan Sun casino resort is nearby.

In the 17th century, when English settlers arrived, southeastern Connecticut was the scene of rivalry between the Pequot people, the dominant Native American group in the New London area, and the newly independent Mohegan. The latter became friendly to the English. For defense against the Pequot, the Mohegan sachem Uncas had established a fortified village on a promontory above the Thames River within what is now the town of Montville. The Mohegan village, now known as Fort Shantok, was protected on the inland side by palisades first built in about 1636 at the time of the Pequot War, rebuilt during wars with the Narragansett people circa 1653–1657, and rebuilt again at the time of King Philip's War (1675–1676).

 

 

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