Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Phillipsburg NJ

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech School near Phillipsburg New Jersey

Phillipsburg NJ vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Phillipsburg NJ may at first seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the proper choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. After they have identified some area colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when assessing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech programs you are considering before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Phillipsburg NJ

cat with cone after surgery in Phillipsburg NJ One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the Phillipsburg NJ veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and normally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years to complete. So 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 job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Phillipsburg NJ laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Phillipsburg

student attending online vet tech school in Phillipsburg NJ An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Phillipsburg NJ veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Phillipsburg NJ Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Phillipsburg NJ vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Phillipsburg NJ area as well as across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, 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 a thorough screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Phillipsburg NJ area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Jersey school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Phillipsburg NJ vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Phillipsburg NJ veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Phillipsburg NJ veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Phillipsburg NJ schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Phillipsburg NJ home, you must make certain that the commuting 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, particularly if the college is located near or in 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 fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Phillipsburg NJ. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Phillipsburg NJ?

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

Phillipsburg, New Jersey

The town is located along the Delaware River in western New Jersey, on the border with Pennsylvania, and is considered part of the Delaware Valley region and the eastern border of the Lehigh Valley region. The Norfolk Southern Railway's Lehigh Line (formerly the main line of the Lehigh Valley Railroad with a mix of main line trackage combined long leased to the Central Railroad of New Jersey by its builder Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company), runs through Phillipsburg on its way cross river to Easton, Pennsylvania. The Belvidere Delaware Railroad was leased (1871) and later acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad connecting the lower Poconos to Trenton, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

As of 2010 United States Census, the town's population was 14,950,[10][11][12] reflecting a decline of 216 (-1.4%) from the 15,166 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 591 (-3.8%) from the 15,757 counted in the 1990 Census.[22]

The town grew from a sleepy agricultural village (in 1824), and was transformed into a transportation hub and shipping center as the Delaware terminus of the Morris Canal (1829-1924), the first transportation infrastructure project (of several, each eventually) giving the community a direct connection 107 miles (172 km) to New York City. The Central Railroad of New Jersey would soon follow with a connection, but the community's growth (and for a long while, its importance) was that it reached the canal terminals of both the Delaware Canal and the Lehigh Canal by its cross-river cable ferry system to Easton, PA. In 1853, the Lehigh Valley Railroad connected across the river with the CNJ and a passenger shortline railroad, the Belvidere Delaware Railroad, as well as the Morris Canal, all within Phillipsburg. Rapid growth followed quickly.

Select the Right Vet Tech Program near Phillipsburg NJ

Phillipsburg NJ vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech program is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Students considering veterinary technician schools must make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Phillipsburg NJ.