How to Find the Right Vet Tech Program near North Franklin Connecticut
Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet school near North Franklin CT might at first feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a college that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the right selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. After they have identified some area schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the varied responsibilities of veterinary assistants and techs and the training options offered.
The Responsibilities of a Vet Assistant and Tech
Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can carry out within the North Franklin CT veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide 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 law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.
- Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school near North Franklin CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent 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 involved in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet technicians and technologists may 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 labs or North Franklin CT area research facilities as well.
Online Veterinary Colleges
An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local North Franklin CT veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for traveling and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech or assistant school may be the perfect option for you.
Questions to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Programs
By now you probably have determined which veterinary certificate or degree that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Connecticut and across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the North Franklin CT veterinary assistant and technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet assistant or technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many North Franklin CT veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Connecticut school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some North Franklin CT veterinarians that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech or assistant is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with area veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. 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 clinical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local North Franklin CT vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet assistant or tech college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the North Franklin CT school has an outstanding reputation within the vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not well 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 larger sized, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the North Franklin CT colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary tech classes from home or work, you must make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the North Franklin CT campus is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the Connecticut veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered near North Franklin CT before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Vet Assistant?
When prepping to interview for a veterinary job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask veterinary prospects is "What drove you to decide on veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming a veterinary technician, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an excellent vet tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.Select the Right Veterinary Technician Program near North Franklin CT
Selecting the right veterinary assistant or tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into vet assistant or tech programs must make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary assistants, techs and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech colleges 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 selecting the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet assistant, tech or technologist in North Franklin CT.
A Little Bit About North Franklin CT
Franklin, Connecticut
Franklin is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,922 at the 2010 census.[1] The town includes the village of North Franklin.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 19.6 square miles (51 km2), of which 19.5 square miles (51 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2), or 0.36%, is water.
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 1,835 people, 687 households, and 528 families residing in the town. The population density was 94.0 people per square mile (36.3/km²). There were 711 housing units at an average density of 36.4 per square mile (14.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.98% White, 0.71% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.
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