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How to Choose a Vet Tech School near White Plains New York

White Plains NY vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near White Plains NY could initially feel like a daunting endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their residences. Once they have found some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when assessing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in White Plains NY

cat with cone after surgery in White Plains NY Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can carry out within the White Plains NY veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed 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. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and generally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more involved activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet 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. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in White Plains NY labs or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in White Plains

student attending online vet tech school in White Plains NY An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local White Plains NY veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask White Plains NY Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask White Plains NY vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the White Plains NY area and across the United States, you must 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 tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, among 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 ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many White Plains NY area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the New York school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some White Plains NY vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with White Plains NY veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate could signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the White Plains NY veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the White Plains NY schools you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your White Plains NY home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near White Plains NY. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near White Plains NY?

If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the White Plains New York area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.

White Plains, New York

White Plains is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is the county seat and commercial hub of Westchester, an affluent suburban county just north of New York City that is home to almost one million people. White Plains is located in south-central Westchester, with its downtown (Mamaroneck Avenue) 25 miles (40 km) north of Midtown Manhattan.

As of 2013, the city's total population was estimated to be 57,866, up from 53,077 at the 2010 census.[5] According to the city government, the daytime weekday population is estimated at 250,000.[6] The city was ranked third in the top 10 places to live in New York for 2014, according to national online real estate brokerage Movoto.[7]

At the time of the Dutch settlement of Manhattan in the early 17th century, the region had been used as farmland by the Weckquaeskeck tribe, members of the Mohican nation and was called "Quarropas".[8] To early traders it was known as "the White Plains", either from the groves of white balsam which are said to have covered it,[9] or from the heavy mist that local tradition suggests hovered over the swamplands near the Bronx River.[10] The first non-native settlement came in November 1683, when a party of Connecticut Puritans moved westward from an earlier settlement in Rye and bought about 4,400 acres (18 km2), presumably from the Weckquaeskeck.[8] However, John Richbell of Mamaroneck claimed to have earlier title to much of the territory through his purchase of a far larger plot extending 20 miles (32 km) inland, perhaps from a different tribe.[10] The matter wasn't settled until 1721, when a Royal Patent for White Plains was granted by King George II.[10]

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech Program near White Plains NY

White Plains NY vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Potential students considering vet tech schools need to make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in White Plains NY.