Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Elizabethtown PA

How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Elizabethtown Pennsylvania

Elizabethtown PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Elizabethtown PA could at first feel like a daunting task. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their residences. After they have found some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Elizabethtown PA

cat with cone after surgery in Elizabethtown PA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many functions that they can carry out within the Elizabethtown PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and generally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Elizabethtown

student attending online vet tech school in Elizabethtown PA An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Elizabethtown PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for travel and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Elizabethtown PA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Elizabethtown PA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Elizabethtown PA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. 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 gone through a rigorous screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many Elizabethtown PA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online 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 targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Elizabethtown PA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs established with Elizabethtown PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Elizabethtown PA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Elizabethtown PA schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Elizabethtown PA home, you must confirm 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located close by or within a large 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 charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you find out if the vet schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Elizabethtown PA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Elizabethtown PA?

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

Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Elizabethtown (Pennsylvania Dutch: Betzischteddel) is a borough in Lancaster County, 21 miles (34 km) southeast of Harrisburg. Small factories existed at the turn of the 20th century when the population in 1900 was 1,861. There was a slight increase in the next decade, with 1,970 people living in Elizabethtown in 1910. As of the 2000 census, the population of the borough was 11,887.[3] Elizabethtown is commonly referred to in south-central Pennsylvania as "E-Town."[4] This nickname is also used for the local college and high school.

There are two stories about the origin of the town's name. In one version it is named after Elizabeth Reeby, wife of Michael Reeby who sold the first building lots here in about 1795. Another version has it named after the wife of Captain Barnabas Hughes who purchased The Black Bear Tavern in 1750.

The officially accepted history is that, in 1753, Captain Barnabas Hughes acquired land and laid out a town, naming it for his wife, Elizabeth. The early settlers were primarily Scots-Irish and Pennsylvania Dutch.

Select the Right Veterinary Technician School near Elizabethtown PA

Elizabethtown PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech school is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students looking into veterinary technician schools need to make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals 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 select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Elizabethtown PA.