How to Find the Right Veterinary Assistant Program near Southport Connecticut
Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinarian program near Southport CT could initially seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. Once they have located some local schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant 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 need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating 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 varied responsibilities of veterinary assistants and techs and the training options offered.
The Function of a Veterinary Assistant and Technician
One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician 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 probably be which specialization interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can carry out within the Southport CT veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Southport CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
- Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years to complete. So the main distinction 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, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Southport CT area research facilities as well.
Vet Online Training Programs
An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Southport CT veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for traveling and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary tech or assistant program may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Vet Assistant and Tech Schools
At this point you should have determined which veterinary certificate or degree that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in Connecticut as well as across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the Southport CT veterinary assistant and technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the veterinary assistant or technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Southport CT vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can initiate 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 rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Connecticut school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Southport CT vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with local veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local Southport CT veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet assistant or tech program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate may mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy 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 signify that the Southport CT college has an excellent reputation within the vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Southport CT programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from home or work, you have to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the Southport CT college is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in 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. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the Connecticut veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available near Southport CT before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.
Why Did You Choose to Be a Vet Tech?
When prepping to interview for a veterinary position, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask veterinary prospects is "What made you pick veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming a vet assistant, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some strategies about how you want to address them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent vet tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.Choose the Right Vet Technician Program near Southport CT
Choosing the ideal vet assistant or tech program is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students considering veterinary assistant or tech schools must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary assistants, techs and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and assist 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 excellent reputation within the field. 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 choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist in Southport CT.
A Little Bit About Southport CT
Southport, Connecticut
Southport is a former borough in the town of Fairfield, Connecticut, and also a census-designated place. It is located along Long Island Sound between Mill River and Sasco Brook, where it borders Westport. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 1,585.[1] Settled in 1639, Southport center has been designated a local historic district since 1967, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 as the Southport Historic District.
The earliest recorded event in Southport's history was "The Great Swamp Fight" or "Fairfield Swamp Fight" of July 1637 (not to be confused with the later Great Swamp Fight of King Philip's War), an episode of the Pequot War in which English colonial forces led by John Mason and Roger Ludlow vanquished a band of about 80 to 100 Pequot Indians who had earlier fled from their home territory in the Mystic area and had taken refuge with about 200 Sasqua Indians who inhabited the area that is now Fairfield. The exact location of the battle is not known, but it is known to have been in the vicinity of Southport.[2]
In the eighteenth century, Mill River village, a part of Fairfield, was a small hamlet of a few houses and a wharf at the mouth of Fairfield's Mill River. Farm products from the surrounding area were shipped from Mill River's small harbor to ports in New York and beyond.[3]
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