Vet Tech Schools near Salem CT 06420

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician College near Salem Connecticut

Salem CT vet tech holding dog during examAchieving your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet program near Salem CT could initially seem like a challenging task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their homes. After they have identified some local schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important factors when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different roles of veterinary assistants and techs and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Veterinary Tech and Assistant

Salem CT vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyAmong the first decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary 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 guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Salem CT veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialization.

  • Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Salem CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
  • Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared with assistants and typically earn 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 veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased 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 emergency care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Salem CT area research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Colleges

attending vet tech school online in Salem CTAn approach that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus 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 completed as an internship or work study program at an area Salem CT veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school 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 self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary tech or assistant program may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technician Degree Programs

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Salem CTBy now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Connecticut and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the Salem CT vet assistant and technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It’s important that you confirm that the vet assistant or tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier 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 a demanding screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Salem CT veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation?  The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet 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 grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Salem CT vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet assistant or tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with local veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local Salem CT vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet assistant or tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate may signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the Salem CT school has an exceptional reputation within the vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might 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, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Salem CT programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from work or home, you have to make sure 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, especially if the Salem CT campus is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it’s important that you find out if the Connecticut vet colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered near Salem CT before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Vet Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a veterinary position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask veterinary applicants is "What drove you to pick veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming a vet tech, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to veterinary care, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding vet tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Right Veterinary Technologist Training Program near Salem CT

Choosing the right vet technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about vet tech or assistant schools need to make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary assistants, techs and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist in Salem CT.

A Little Bit About Salem CT

Salem, Connecticut

Salem is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,151 at the 2010 census.[1]

The area was originally inhabited by the Mohegan people. The first settlement of European origin in present-day Salem (then part of the town of Montville) was deeded in 1664. In the early 18th century, more settlements appeared in what was then Colchester. During this time period, the area was called "Paugwonk". The small neighborhood around the Gardner Lake Firehouse on Route 354 is sometimes still referred to by that name.

Because of the remote location of these settlements and the considerable distance to churches, the people petitioned the Connecticut General Court for a new parish in 1725. It was named New Salem Parish, in honor of Colonel Samuel Browne, the largest landowner at the time, who was from Salem, Massachusetts. Recent archaeological evidence suggests that Colonel Browne owned slaves. The people of New Salem strongly supported the Patriot cause in the Revolution. Salem was the first town in the state of Connecticut to have a plantation, owned by the Browne family.

 

 

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