Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools East Stroudsburg PA

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech School near East Stroudsburg Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near East Stroudsburg PA could initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. After they have located some local schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when evaluating vet technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the varied roles of vet techs and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in East Stroudsburg PA

cat with cone after surgery in East Stroudsburg PA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of tasks that they can carry out within the East Stroudsburg PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. Therefore the only real 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, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in East Stroudsburg PA labs or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in East Stroudsburg

student attending online vet tech school in East Stroudsburg PA An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local East Stroudsburg PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in 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 complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask East Stroudsburg PA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask East Stroudsburg PA vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the East Stroudsburg PA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. 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 gone through a rigorous review process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of East Stroudsburg PA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some East Stroudsburg PA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest one or more programs 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 medical setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with East Stroudsburg PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the East Stroudsburg PA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the East Stroudsburg PA schools you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your East Stroudsburg PA home, you have to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the vet schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near East Stroudsburg PA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near East Stroudsburg PA?

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

East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg is a borough in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in the Poconos region of the state. Originally known as "Dansbury," East Stroudsburg was renamed for geographic reasons when the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad opened a station in town. It lies east of Stroudsburg and is more populous than that town. East Stroudsburg is the largest municipality in Monroe County and in the East Stroudsburg, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area[3] as designated by the Office of Management and Budget based on data from the 2010 US Census.

East Stroudsburg is located at 41°0′5″N 75°10′48″W / 41.00139°N 75.18000°W / 41.00139; -75.18000 (41.001442, -75.180111).[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.5 km2), all of it land. When traveling west on Interstate 80, East Stroudsburg is the second town from the NJ-PA border on exit 309.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 9,840 people residing in the borough. The racial makeup of the borough was 73.2% White, 10.0% Black, 0.1% Native American, 2.4% Asian, 0.3% from some other race and 2.0% from two or more races. 11.8% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Choose the Best Veterinary Technician Program near East Stroudsburg PA

East Stroudsburg PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech program is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering vet tech programs 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 take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in East Stroudsburg PA.