Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Quakertown NJ

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near Quakertown New Jersey

Quakertown NJ vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Quakertown NJ might initially seem like a daunting task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their homes. After they have found some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Quakertown NJ

cat with cone after surgery in Quakertown NJ Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the Quakertown NJ veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training in contrast 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 counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years. Therefore 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 work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Quakertown NJ laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Quakertown

student attending online vet tech school in Quakertown NJ An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Quakertown NJ veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for example for commuting and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. 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 independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Quakertown NJ Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Quakertown NJ vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Quakertown NJ area as well as across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for many Quakertown NJ area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the New Jersey school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Quakertown NJ veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Quakertown NJ veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate could indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Quakertown NJ vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not well 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 in size, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Quakertown NJ colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Quakertown NJ home, you must confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Quakertown NJ. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Quakertown NJ?

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

Quakertown, Pennsylvania

Quakertown is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in the USA. As of 2016, it had a population of 8,798.[3] The borough is 16 miles (26 km) south of Allentown and Bethlehem and 29 miles (47 km) north of Philadelphia, making Quakertown a border town of both the Delaware Valley and Lehigh Valley metropolitan areas. It is considered part of the United States Census Bureau's Philadelphia−Camden−Wilmington (PA−NJ−DE-MD) MSA and the Delaware Valley. Quakertown is surrounded by Richland Township.

On September 18, 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, a convoy of wagons carrying the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia to Allentown, under the command of Col. Thomas Polk of Charlotte, North Carolina, stopped in Quakertown. The Liberty Bell was stored overnight behind the home of Evan Foulke (1237 West Broad Street), and the entourage stayed at the Red Lion Inn. The John Fries' Rebellion was also started in the Red Lion Inn in 1799.

The American Civil War along with national economic expansion changed Quakertown from a tiny village to a commercial manufacturing center. In the nineteenth century, local industrial establishments included cigar and cigar box factories, silk mills, harness factories, and stove foundries. Until 1969, Quakertown generated its own electrical power. The population of Quakertown in 1900 was 3,014; it rose to 3,801 in 1910. By 1940, the population had reached 5,150 people. At the 2010 census, the borough's population was 8,979.

Select the Right Veterinary Technician School near Quakertown NJ

Quakertown NJ vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate vet tech college is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students considering veterinary technician programs must make their determination based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, 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 online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Quakertown NJ.