Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Bowmanstown PA

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near Bowmanstown Pennsylvania

Bowmanstown PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Bowmanstown PA could at first seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. Once they have found some area colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Bowmanstown PA

cat with cone after surgery in Bowmanstown PA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous tasks that they can carry out within the Bowmanstown PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, 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 technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and normally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 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 opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Bowmanstown PA laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Bowmanstown

student attending online vet tech school in Bowmanstown PA An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Bowmanstown PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for commuting and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Bowmanstown PA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Bowmanstown PA vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Bowmanstown PA area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a school 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 veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, 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 verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many Bowmanstown PA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin 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 online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Bowmanstown PA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Bowmanstown PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might 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 colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Bowmanstown PA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Bowmanstown PA schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Bowmanstown PA home, you must make sure 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located near or in a larger city. Also, 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 community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Bowmanstown PA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Bowmanstown PA?

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

Bowmanstown, Pennsylvania

Bowmanstown is a borough in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 937 at the 2010 census.[3] Bowmanstown is at an elevation of 437 feet (133 m) and is located 3 miles (5 km) west of Palmerton and 4 miles (6 km) south of Lehighton off Route 248.

Bowmanstown is located in southern Carbon County at 40°48′3″N 75°39′44″W / 40.80083°N 75.66222°W / 40.80083; -75.66222 (40.800737, -75.662167),[4] on the northeast bank of the Lehigh River. It is bordered on the east and north by Lower Towamensing Township, on the southeast by the borough of Palmerton, and on the southwest and west by East Penn Township.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.80 square miles (2.07 km2), of which 0.77 square miles (1.99 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.07 km2), or 3.59%, is water.[3]

Select the Best Vet Tech College near Bowmanstown PA

Bowmanstown PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Students considering veterinary technician colleges must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Bowmanstown PA.