Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Fairmount City PA

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Fairmount City Pennsylvania

Fairmount City PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Fairmount City PA could at first feel like a challenging endeavor. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the right choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their homes. After they have found some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are considering before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided 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 alternatives offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Fairmount City PA

cat with cone after surgery in Fairmount City PA One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can carry out within the Fairmount City PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from 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. Normally they are not associated with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function 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 duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years to complete. So 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 work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Fairmount City

student attending online vet tech school in Fairmount City PA An option that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Fairmount City PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for traveling and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Fairmount City PA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Fairmount City PA vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Fairmount City PA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Fairmount City PA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Fairmount City PA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Fairmount City PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Fairmount City PA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Fairmount City PA colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already 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 Fairmount City PA home, you must confirm that the commuting time fits into 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 campus is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you determine if the veterinary programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Fairmount City PA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Fairmount City PA?

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

Fairmount Park

Fairmount Park is the largest municipal park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the historic name for a group of parks located throughout the city.[4][5] Fairmount Park consists of two park sections named East Park and West Park, divided by the Schuylkill River, with the two sections together totalling 2,052 acres (830 ha).[3] Management of Fairmount Park and the entire citywide park system is overseen by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, a city department created in 2010 from the merger of the Fairmount Park Commission and the Department of Recreation.[6][7]

Many other city parks had also been historically included in the Fairmount Park system prior to 2010, including Wissahickon Valley Park in Northwest Philadelphia, Pennypack Park in Northeast Philadelphia, Cobbs Creek Park in West Philadelphia, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park in South Philadelphia and 58 additional parks, parkways, plazas, squares and public golf courses spread throughout the city.[4][8] Since the 2010 merger, however, the term "Fairmount Park system" is no longer used by the Parks & Recreation department, and the adjacent Wissahickon Valley Park and all other park areas are considered completely separate entities.[5]

Fairmount Park, Philadelphia's first park, occupies 2,052 acres (830 ha) adjacent to the banks of the Schuylkill River.[3] Since 2010, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation divides the original park into East and West Fairmount parks. The original domain of Fairmount Park consisted of three areas: "South Park" or the South Garden immediately below the Fairmount Water Works extending to the Callowhill Street Bridge; "Old Park," which encompassed the former estates of Lemon Hill and Sedgeley; and West Park, the area including the Philadelphia Zoo and the Centennial Exposition grounds. The South Garden predated the establishment of the Park Commission in 1867, while Lemon Hill and Sedgeley were added in 1855–56. After the Civil War, work progressed on acquiring and laying out West Park. In the 1870s, the Fairmount Park Commission expropriated properties along the Wissahickon Creek to extend Fairmount Park. The Schuylkill River Trail is a modern paved multi-use trail by Kelly Drive in the East Park.

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician College near Fairmount City PA

Fairmount City PA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal vet tech program is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Fairmount City PA.