Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Harrisburg PA

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near Harrisburg Pennsylvania

Harrisburg PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Harrisburg PA might at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the best choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. Once they have located some local schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Harrisburg PA

cat with cone after surgery in Harrisburg PA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many jobs that they can perform within the Harrisburg PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from 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 specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. Therefore 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, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Harrisburg

student attending online vet tech school in Harrisburg PA An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Harrisburg PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for traveling and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Harrisburg PA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Harrisburg PA vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Harrisburg PA area and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a college 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 should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Harrisburg PA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Harrisburg PA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Harrisburg PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Harrisburg PA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify 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, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Harrisburg PA colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding 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 Campus Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Harrisburg PA home, you need to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Harrisburg PA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Harrisburg PA?

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

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Harrisburg (/ˈhærɪsbɜːrɡ/ HARR-iss-burg; Pennsylvania German: Harrisbarrig)[citation needed] is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the United States, and the county seat of Dauphin County. With a population of 49,192, it is the 15th largest city in the Commonwealth. It lies on the east bank of the Susquehanna River, 107 miles (172 km) west of Philadelphia. Harrisburg is the anchor of the Susquehanna Valley metropolitan area, which had a 2017 estimated population of 571,903,[8] making it the third most populous in Pennsylvania and 96th most populous in the United States.

Harrisburg played a notable role in American history during the Westward Migration, the American Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution. During part of the 19th century, the building of the Pennsylvania Canal and later the Pennsylvania Railroad allowed Harrisburg to become one of the most industrialized cities in the Northeastern United States. The U.S. Navy ship USS Harrisburg, which served from 1918 to 1919 at the end of World War I, was named in honor of the city. In the mid-to-late 20th century, the city's economic fortunes fluctuated with its major industries consisting of government, heavy manufacturing, agriculture, and food services (nearby Hershey is home of the chocolate maker, located just 10 miles (16 km) east).

The Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest free indoor agriculture exposition in the United States, was first held in Harrisburg in 1917 and has been held there every early-to-mid January since then.[9] Harrisburg also hosts an annual outdoor sports show, the largest of its kind in North America, an auto show, which features a large static display of new as well as classic cars and is renowned nationwide, and Motorama, a two-day event consisting of a car show, motocross racing, remote control car racing, and more. Harrisburg is also known for the Three Mile Island accident, which occurred on March 28, 1979, near Middletown.

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Harrisburg PA

Harrisburg PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech school is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students considering vet tech schools need to make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Harrisburg PA.