Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Lairdsville PA

How to Choose a Vet Tech Program near Lairdsville Pennsylvania

Lairdsville PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Lairdsville PA may at first feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the right selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. After they have found some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when assessing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech programs you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Lairdsville PA

cat with cone after surgery in Lairdsville PA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Lairdsville PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing 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 performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and usually earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Lairdsville PA labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Lairdsville

student attending online vet tech school in Lairdsville PA An alternative that might 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 training program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Lairdsville PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in 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 dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Lairdsville PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Lairdsville PA vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinary credential that you want to obtain, 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 Lairdsville PA area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Lairdsville PA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Lairdsville PA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Lairdsville PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum 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 mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Lairdsville PA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Lairdsville PA programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Lairdsville PA home, you must confirm that the driving 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, particularly if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lairdsville PA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available 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 college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lairdsville PA?

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

Pennsylvania Route 118

Pennsylvania Route 118 (PA 118) is a 42.248-mile-long (67.992 km) state route located in northeastern Pennsylvania. The western terminus of the route is at PA 405 in Hughesville. The eastern terminus is at PA 415 in Dallas. The road is known briefly as East Water Street from its western terminus to its intersection with 6th Street in Hughesville, where it becomes Lairdsville Road for 12 miles (19 km) until crossing PA 42 near Unityville. It joins PA 487 for one mile (1.6 km) in Red Rock, where it passes through the southern part of Ricketts Glen State Park. In 1928, the road between Hughesville and Unityville was designated as part of PA 642 while the portion between Red Rock and Lehman was designated as a portion of PA 115. PA 642 was extended from PA 42 in Unityville to PA 539 in the 1940s. During the 1950s, PA 115 was rerouted from Red Rock to head west and replace PA 642 to Hughesville. PA 115 was also realigned to run between Lehman and Dallas. In 1961, PA 118 replaced the portion of PA 115 between Hughesville and Dallas.

Route 118 begins at an intersection with PA 405 (Main Street) in the center of Hughesville in Lycoming County. The route progresses southeastward through the borough as East Water Street. The local street crosses a long stretch of commercial businesses before reaching North Fifth Street, where it turns to the east and crosses over Muncy Creek. After crossing the river, PA 118 changes names to Lairdville Road and the surroundings become residential. The route there turns to the southeast once again, paralleling a long distance with Gregg Run Road. The surroundings quickly change to farmland, and PA 118 continues east through woodlands that begins soon after. At the intersection with Old Lairdsville Road, the route turns to the northeast until a short clearing, where the highway intersects with L Harman Road. At that intersection, the route turns to the southeast once again.[3]

Heading through now Moreland Township, the woodlands soon give way in favor of open fields, where the route intersects with Neuhard and Stan Warn Roads. There, PA 118 turns even further to the southeast and makes a large bend to the northeast later on, where the highway enters the hamlet of Frenchtown. The highway leaves the rural hamlet to the northeast, paralleling Old Lairdsville Road, which soon merges back in. The highway continues, leaving the fields for more woodlands, paralleling an old alignment of PA 118. A short distance after the old alignment stops paralleling, PA 118 breaks free of the woodlands in favor of the village of Lairdsville. Through Lairdsville, the highway passes a long stretch of residential homes and intersects with Dark Hollow Road. At Dark Hollow Road, PA 118 leaves Lairdsville and enters the rural segments of Franklin Township.[3]

Select the Ideal Vet Tech College near Lairdsville PA

Lairdsville PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech program is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students looking into veterinary technician colleges need to make their determination 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 tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lairdsville PA.