Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Fort Washington PA

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near Fort Washington Pennsylvania

Fort Washington PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Fort Washington PA could at first feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to find and enroll in a school that will furnish the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the right selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. Once they have located some area schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when evaluating vet technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different roles of vet techs and the training options available.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Fort Washington PA

cat with cone after surgery in Fort Washington PA One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Fort Washington PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and normally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years. 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 work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Fort Washington PA labs or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Fort Washington

student attending online vet tech school in Fort Washington PA An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Fort Washington PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for instance for travel and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Fort Washington PA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Fort Washington PA vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Fort Washington PA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded 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 verifies you will receive 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 colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Fort Washington PA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Fort Washington PA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Fort Washington PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate may indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Fort Washington PA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Fort Washington PA colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Fort Washington PA home, you have to confirm that the commuting 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 attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the vet colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Fort Washington 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. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Fort Washington PA?

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

Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

Prior to the Revolutionary War The Fort Washington area was settled by many German immigrants. One such person was Philip Engard who immigrated in 1728. Engard purchased 100 acres (40 ha) on what was to be named Susquehanna Road and Fort Washington Avenue. By the mid-18th century the area came to be known as Engardtown, and Fort Washington Avenue was originally called Engardtown Road. The house built by Philip Engard is listed as the "Engard Family Home - 1765" in the Upper Dublin Township Open Space & Environmental Resource Protection Plan - 2005, as part of the Upper Dublin Historical Properties #25.

During the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War, George Washington and the Continental Army were encamped here after their October 4, 1777 defeat at the Battle of Germantown, and immediately prior to their march to Valley Forge. From December 5–8, 1777, the Battle of White Marsh was fought here between British and American forces. Throughout the encampment, Washington was headquartered at the Emlen House, built by Quaker George Emlen in 1745. British commander General William Howe observed the American lines from the bell tower of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church (at Bethlehem Pike and Camp Hill Road), site of the British encampment on December 5. Today, Fort Washington State Park contains the area in which the primary American defenses were situated.

On July 17, 1856, Fort Washington was the site of one of the worst train accidents in the United States when two North Pennsylvania Railroad trains collided with one another near the Sandy Run station (later renamed to Camp Hill, now the defunct Fellwick Station). The exact number of deaths is uncertain, but 59 were killed instantly and dozens more perished from their injuries. Many of the dead were children from St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church from the Kensington section of Philadelphia, who were traveling to Sheaff's Woods, a park in the Fort Washington area, for a Sunday school picnic.[1][2]

Pick the Ideal Veterinary Technician School near Fort Washington PA

Fort Washington PA vet tech holding dog Picking the right vet tech program is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Students considering veterinary technician colleges need to make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Fort Washington PA.