Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Kennett Square PA

How to Select a Veterinary Technician Program near Kennett Square Pennsylvania

Kennett Square PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Kennett Square PA might initially seem like a daunting task. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the necessary training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their residences. Once they have located some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when assessing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Kennett Square PA

cat with cone after surgery in Kennett Square PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many jobs that they can perform within the Kennett Square PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone 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 community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training in contrast to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more involved activities, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary 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 Kennett Square PA laboratories or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Kennett Square

student attending online vet tech school in Kennett Square PA An option that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Kennett Square PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for travel and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Kennett Square PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Kennett Square PA vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Kennett Square PA area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions to help 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 previously mentioned other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 undergone an extensive screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for many Kennett Square PA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Kennett Square PA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Kennett Square PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate may suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Kennett Square PA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Kennett Square PA programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Kennett Square PA home, you must confirm 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 college is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college 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 classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Kennett Square PA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Kennett Square PA?

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

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Kennett Square is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known as the Mushroom Capital of the World[4] because mushroom farming in the region produces over a million pounds of mushrooms a day, totaling half of the United States mushroom crop.[5] To celebrate this heritage, Kennett Square has an annual Mushroom Festival, where the town shuts down to have a parade, tour mushroom farms, and buy and sell food and other goods. It is also home to the corporate headquarters of Genesis HealthCare which administers elderly care facilities. The local high school is Kennett High School. Its population was 6,072 at the 2010 census.[6]

The area to become known as Kennett Square was originally inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans. The town was originally called Kennet Square, with the name "Kennet", England, and "Square" coming from the original land grant from William Penn of one square mile. General Sir William Howe marched through Kennett to the Battle of Brandywine during the American Revolution. It was also known as an important part of the Underground Railroad, which helped slaves escaping to the North for freedom. Many of its prominent citizens helped slaves escape on the Underground Railroad. In 1853, a group asked for Kennett Square to be incorporated, and by 1855 it held elections.

Kennett Square's founder is credited with introducing mushroom growing to the area. He grew carnations, a popular local commodity around 1885, and wanted to make use of the wasted space under the elevated beds. He imported spawn from Europe and started experimenting with mushroom cultivation.

Select the Right Veterinary Technician School near Kennett Square PA

Kennett Square PA vet tech holding dog Picking the right veterinary technician program is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Students considering vet tech colleges need to make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Kennett Square PA.