How to Select a Veterinary Technician Training near Rocky Hill Connecticut
Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinarian school near Rocky Hill CT may initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their residences. After they have found some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the various responsibilities of veterinary techs and assistants and the training options offered.
The Function of a Veterinary Assistant and Technician
One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Rocky Hill CT veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college near Rocky Hill CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Rocky Hill CT area research facilities as well.
Veterinarian Online Schools
An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at an area Rocky Hill CT veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for example for traveling and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you select 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 disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet technician or assistant school may be the perfect option for you.
Questions to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Schools
By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Connecticut as well as across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the Rocky Hill CT veterinary assistant and tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet assistant or technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for many Rocky Hill CT vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Connecticut school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Rocky Hill CT vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with regional veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local Rocky Hill CT veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet technician or assistant school may 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 considering. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the Rocky Hill CT school has an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community and has a considerable 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 ineffective 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. Solicit from the Rocky Hill CT colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet technician classes from home or work, you must make sure that the driving 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, especially if the Rocky Hill 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 charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the Connecticut veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered near Rocky Hill CT prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your active life.
Why Did You Choose to Become a Vet Technician?
When preparing to interview for a veterinary job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask veterinary applicants is "What drove you to select veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming a vet tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to veterinary care, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent vet tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.Choose the Right Vet Tech School near Rocky Hill CT
Enrolling in the ideal veterinary assistant or tech school is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet assistant or tech colleges must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Vet techs, assistants and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online programs 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 picking the best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist in Rocky Hill CT.
A Little Bit About Rocky Hill CT
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Rocky Hill is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 19,709 at the 2010 census.[1] Rocky Hill was part of Wethersfield, the neighboring town to the north, until it was independently incorporated in 1843.
Rocky Hill is a typical bedroom community as many residents commute to work in the larger urban centers of Hartford to the north and New Haven to the south.
In 2003, Rocky Hill was voted the #1 Sportstown in Connecticut by Sports Illustrated for demonstrating high quality involvement in facilitating and enhancing community sports.[2]
More Cities of Interest in Connecticut