Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Armagh PA - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech School near Armagh Pennsylvania

Armagh PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Armagh PA might initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. After they have located some local colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Armagh PA

cat with cone after surgery in Armagh PA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish 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 commit to your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can carry out within the Armagh PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Armagh PA labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Armagh

student attending online vet tech school in Armagh PA An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Armagh PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for commuting and study materials, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech program may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Armagh PA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Armagh PA vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Armagh PA area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously 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 demanding screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for a number of Armagh PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Armagh PA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Armagh PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate might indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed 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 could indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Armagh PA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Armagh PA colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Armagh PA home, you have to 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, especially if the campus is located in or near a larger 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 charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you determine if the vet colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Armagh PA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Armagh PA?

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

Armagh, Pennsylvania

Armagh is the oldest community in Indiana County, having been founded in 1792 by eight families led by James and Margaret Jane Graham from the area now known as Northern Ireland. The community was named after the Irish city and county of Armagh, which was the hometown of some of the settlers. Its first school began in 1799, using a log cabin, and in 1805, it established the county's first post office.[3]

Many of the original settlers were Presbyterian. The Wheatfield Presbyterian Church, later known simply as the Armagh Presbyterian Church, was started in 1786. The Rev. George Hill, its first minister, was installed in 1792, and was shared with churches in Fairfield and Donegal. In 1820 the congregation built a log church and in 1835-6 replaced it with a white frame church. Another Presbyterian church was built in 1905 in Seward, about 3 miles south. The two congregations merged in 1963. The Armagh church building was destroyed in 2004 after being hit by a truck.[4]

The community became a borough on April 10, 1824, having previously been part of East Wheatfield Township.[5] The borough was the birthplace of pioneer American labor leader William H. Sylvis in 1828.[6]

Pick the Right Vet Tech College near Armagh PA

Armagh PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech school is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Armagh PA.