How to Find the Right Veterinary Assistant Training near Old Saybrook Connecticut
Realizing your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet program near Old Saybrook CT may at first feel like a challenging task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a college that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you tackle assessing and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. After they have located some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different responsibilities of vet techs and assistants and the training alternatives available.
The Job of a Veterinary Assistant and Technician
One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Old Saybrook CT veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements 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 completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college near Old Saybrook CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and usually obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years to complete. So the only real 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 opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Old Saybrook CT area research facilities also.
Online Veterinary Courses
An approach that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Old Saybrook CT veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary tech or assistant program may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technician Programs
By now you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in Connecticut and across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the Old Saybrook CT vet technician and assistant colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech or assistant school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier 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 undergone a thorough screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Old Saybrook CT vet practices and hospitals.
What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Connecticut school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Old Saybrook CT vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet assistant or tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with regional veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local Old Saybrook CT veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary tech or assistant program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the Old Saybrook CT school has an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Old Saybrook CT schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet assistant classes from home or work, you need to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the Old Saybrook CT college is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes 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 important that you find out if the Connecticut veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate 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 in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available near Old Saybrook CT before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your active life.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Veterinary Technician?
When preparing to interview for a veterinary position, it's important to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask veterinary prospects is "What made you choose veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being a vet tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an exceptional vet tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technician College near Old Saybrook CT
Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician college is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary assistant or tech colleges must make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary techs, assistants and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet assistant, technician or technologist in Old Saybrook CT.
A Little Bit About Old Saybrook CT
Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Old Saybrook is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 10,242 at the 2010 census. It contains the incorporated borough of Fenwick, as well as the census-designated places of Old Saybrook Center and Saybrook Manor.
In 1624, shortly after establishing their first settlement at Governors Island, Dutch settlers established a short-lived factory at present day Old Saybrook. The trading post was named Kievits Hoek, or "Plover's Corner". Kievits Hoek was soon abandoned as the Dutch consolidated settlement at New Amsterdam. In 1633, Fort Goede Hoop (Huys de Goede Hoop), was established at present-day Hartford.[1]
The Pequot siege of Saybrook Fort took place from September 1636 to March 1637 during the Pequot War.
More Cities of Interest in Connecticut