Vet Tech Schools near Naugatuck CT 06770

How to Select a Veterinary Technician Training near Naugatuck Connecticut

Naugatuck CT vet tech holding dog during examRealizing your long term goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary program near Naugatuck CT may initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you approach analyzing and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. After they have located some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are considering 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 discuss the varied duties of vet techs and assistants and the training options available.

The Job of a Vet Technician and Assistant

Naugatuck CT vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyAmong the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Naugatuck CT veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

  • Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school near Naugatuck 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 involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
  • Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and usually earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. 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 basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist 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 also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Naugatuck CT area research facilities as well.

Online Vet Training Classes

attending vet tech school online in Naugatuck CTAn option that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at an area Naugatuck CT veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for commuting and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech or assistant program may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technician Colleges

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Naugatuck CTAt this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in Connecticut and across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the Naugatuck CT veterinary technician and assistant schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary tech or assistant college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 an extensive review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for many Naugatuck CT veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation?  The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet 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 grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Naugatuck CT vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with area veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local Naugatuck CT veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary tech or assistant school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the Naugatuck CT school has an excellent reputation within the vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify 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 probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Naugatuck CT programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from work or home, you need to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with 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, particularly if the Naugatuck CT college is located in or close by a large 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 higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the Connecticut veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available near Naugatuck CT before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your active life.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Vet Assistant?

When preparing to interview for a veterinary job, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask veterinary applicants is "What compelled you to choose veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being a vet tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to veterinary care, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional vet tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Vet Assistant Training Program near Naugatuck CT

Enrolling in the ideal veterinary assistant or tech college is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students considering vet tech or assistant colleges need to make their determination based on multiple key issues. Vet techs, assistants and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet assistant, tech or technologist in Naugatuck CT.

A Little Bit About Naugatuck CT

Naugatuck, Connecticut

Naugatuck is a consolidated borough and town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town spans both sides of the Naugatuck River just south of Waterbury, and includes the communities of Union City on the east side of the river, which has its own post office, Straitsville on the southeast (along Route 63), and Millville on the west (along Rubber Avenue). As of the 2010 census, Naugatuck had a population of 31,862.[2]

Naugatuck was settled in 1701 as a farming community in rural western Connecticut. As the Industrial Revolution commenced, Naugatuck was transformed into a hardscrabble mill town like its neighbors in the Naugatuck Valley.

Rubber was the chief manufactured product. Charles Goodyear worked at his brother's rubber company, the Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Company & Downtown Naugatuck, until the company was consolidated into the United States Rubber Company. The United States Rubber Company (renamed Uniroyal Inc. in 1961) was founded in Naugatuck in 1892 as a consolidation of nine rubber companies, and maintained their corporate headquarters there until the 1980s. Their Footwear Division manufactured Keds sneakers in Naugatuck from 1917 until the 1980s. U.S. Rubber also produced Naugahyde in a Naugatuck factory, but it is no longer produced there.

 

 

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