Vet Tech Schools near South Kent CT 06785

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Training near South Kent Connecticut

South Kent CT vet tech holding dog during examFulfilling your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinarian school near South Kent CT might at first feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will provide the proper 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 best choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their residences. When they have found some local schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the varied duties of veterinary assistants and techs and the training alternatives available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician and Assistant

South Kent CT vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyOne of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the South Kent CT veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialty.

  • Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college near South Kent CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
  • Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years. 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 examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or South Kent CT area research facilities as well.

Veterinary Online Schools

attending vet tech school online in South Kent CTAn option that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at an area South Kent CT veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for travel and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes 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 vet technician or assistant program may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technologist Programs

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in South Kent CTAt this point you should have determined which veterinary certificate or degree that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in Connecticut and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the South Kent CT vet assistant and tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech or assistant college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that ensures you will get a superior 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 schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for many South Kent CT veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation?  The veterinarian college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Connecticut school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some South Kent CT veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech or assistant is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with area veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local South Kent CT veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet technician or assistant college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate might signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the South Kent CT college has an exceptional reputation within the vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the South Kent CT schools you are looking at 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 teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary assistant classes from home or work, you have to make sure that the commuting time fits into 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 South Kent CT campus is located near or in a large 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 fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the Connecticut veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered near South Kent CT prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Veterinary Assistant?

When getting ready to interview for a veterinary position, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask veterinary applicants is "What compelled you to pick veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being a vet tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to veterinary care, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must prepare several strategies about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding vet tech and the best choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Veterinary Tech College near South Kent CT

Choosing the appropriate vet assistant or tech college is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students considering vet assistant or tech colleges need to make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary assistants, techs and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet assistant, technician or technologist in South Kent CT.

A Little Bit About South Kent CT

Kent, Connecticut

Kent is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, alongside the border with New York. The population was 2,858 at the 2000 census. The town is home to three boarding schools: South Kent School, Kent School and The Marvelwood School. The Schaghticoke Indian Reservation is also located within town borders.

The Town of Kent was sectioned in 1737 and settled about 1739.[2] The community was important in the growth of iron production.

Kent is in Litchfield County. Its location is 41°43′29″N 73°28′39″W / 41.72472°N 73.47750°W / 41.72472; -73.47750. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 49.6 square miles (128 km2), of which, 48.5 square miles (126 km2) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) of it (2.26%) is water. Bulls Bridge, one of two covered bridges open to vehicles in Connecticut, is located in the town. The town is bisected by the Housatonic River. The western half contains Macedonia Brook State Park, the Schaghticoke Indian Reservation, as well as a section of the Appalachian Trail.

 

 

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