Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Bechtelsville PA

How to Find the Right Vet Tech School near Bechtelsville Pennsylvania

Bechtelsville PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Bechtelsville PA could initially feel like a challenging task. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. Once they have located some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Bechtelsville PA

cat with cone after surgery in Bechtelsville PA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of tasks that they can carry out within the Bechtelsville PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional 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 almost all instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and generally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased 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 anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Bechtelsville PA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Bechtelsville

student attending online vet tech school in Bechtelsville PA An approach that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Bechtelsville PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for travel and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Bechtelsville PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Bechtelsville PA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Bechtelsville PA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for many Bechtelsville PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Bechtelsville PA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Bechtelsville PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate might indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Bechtelsville PA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Bechtelsville PA schools you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. 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 College Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Bechtelsville PA home, you need to confirm that the driving 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, especially if the college is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Bechtelsville PA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Bechtelsville PA?

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

Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania

As of the census[5] of 2010, there were 942 people, 362 households, and 264 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,884 people per square mile (678.2/km²). There were 362 housing units at an average density of 224 per square mile (266.6/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.3% White, 0.2% African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.

There were 362 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.5% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.60 and the average family size was 3.98.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 20, 7.4% from 20 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.6 years. For every 100 females there were 92.25 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

Pick the Right Vet Tech School near Bechtelsville PA

Bechtelsville PA vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech college is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Bechtelsville PA.