How to Select a Veterinary Assistant Training near Stonington Connecticut
Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinarian program near Stonington CT could initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you tackle evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. After they have identified some local schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the varied responsibilities of vet assistants and techs and the training options offered.
The Function of a Veterinary Technician and Assistant
One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the Stonington CT veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each position.
- Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college near Stonington CT. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and normally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Stonington CT area research facilities as well.
Veterinarian 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 veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Stonington CT veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for example for commuting and study supplies, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician or assistant program may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Tech Schools
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Connecticut and across the USA, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the Stonington CT vet assistant and technician colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician or assistant college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Stonington CT veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Connecticut school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Stonington CT veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs established with local veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local Stonington CT vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet assistant or tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the Stonington CT school has an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Stonington CT schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from work or home, you have to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the Stonington CT school is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you find out if the Connecticut veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit 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 need are available near Stonington CT before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family issues. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Vet Assistant?
When prepping to interview for a veterinary job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask veterinary candidates is "What made you select veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming a vet tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to veterinary care, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready several ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding vet tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.Select the Right Veterinary Technologist College near Stonington CT
Choosing the right vet technician program is an important first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet assistant or tech colleges must make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary techs, assistants and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. 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 alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, tech or technologist in Stonington CT.
A Little Bit About Stonington CT
Stonington, Connecticut
The town of Stonington is located in New London County, Connecticut, United States, in the state's southeastern corner. It includes the borough of Stonington, the villages of Pawcatuck, Lords Point, Wequetequock, and the eastern halves of the villages of Mystic and Old Mystic (the other halves being in the town of Groton). The population of the town was 18,545 at the 2010 census.[1]
The first European colonists established a trading house in the Pawcatuck section of town in 1649. The present territory of Stonington was part of lands that had belonged to the Pequot people, who referred to the areas making up Stonington as Pawcatuck (Stony Brook to the Pawcatuck River) and Mistack (Mystic River to Stony Brook). It was named "Souther Towne" or Southerton by Massachusetts in 1658, and officially became part of Connecticut in 1662 when Connecticut received its royal charter. Southerton was renamed "Mistick" in 1665[2]:26 and again renamed Stonington in 1666.[2]:36Thomas Miner, Walter Palmer, William Chesebrough, and Thomas Stanton were the founders. The town of North Stonington was set off as a parish from Stonington in 1724 and incorporated as a town in 1807.
Stonington first gained wealth in the 1790s when its harbor was home to a fleet engaged in the profitable sealing trade in which seals were hunted on islands off the Chilean and Patagonian coasts, and their skins were sold as fur in China.[3]
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