Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Lebanon PA - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Select a Vet Tech Program near Lebanon Pennsylvania

Lebanon PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Lebanon PA could at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the right selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. When they have found some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important factors when evaluating vet tech programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the varied roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Lebanon PA

cat with cone after surgery in Lebanon PA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many duties that they can carry out within the Lebanon PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through 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 involved with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and generally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic 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 involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Lebanon

student attending online vet tech school in Lebanon PA An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Lebanon PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for travel and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make 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 practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Lebanon PA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Lebanon PA vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Lebanon PA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Lebanon PA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Lebanon PA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Lebanon PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate could signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the Lebanon PA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lebanon PA schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Lebanon PA home, you need to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, 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 near or in a large 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 higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Lebanon PA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lebanon PA?

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

Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Established in 1912 as Mount Lebanon, the township was a farming community until the arrival of streetcar lines, first opening in 1901[4] Now with the ability to commute to and from Downtown Pittsburgh daily, Mount Lebanon became a streetcar suburb, with the first real estate subdivision being laid out in November 1901. Further, the opening of the Liberty Tunnel in 1924 allowed easy automobile access to Pittsburgh. In 1975, the renamed Mt. Lebanon adopted one of the first home rule charters in Pennsylvania.[5][6]

In 1912, Mount Lebanon Township was incorporated as a "First Class Township" under Pennsylvania state law. It had formerly been a part of Scott Township, which in turn traces its origins to the long-defunct St. Clair Township. Mount Lebanon was not named for two Cedar of Lebanon trees that were planted in 1850 on Washington Road near the top of Bower Hill Road, but was named after the area from which they came, Mount Lebanon, due to the similarities between the two landscapes.[7] Prior to the incorporation of the township, the "Mount Lebanon" name was used for the area of Upper St. Clair Township near the cedar trees. In the 1880s, a post office located near the transplanted cedar trees was named "Mount Lebanon". Incorporators of neighboring Dormont Borough initially tried to use the "Mount Lebanon" name in 1909, but were opposed by residents of the future Mount Lebanon Township.

In 1928, Mount Lebanon became the first First Class township in Pennsylvania to adopt the council-manager form of government and has had an appointed manager serving as the chief administrative officer since that time.

Choose the Best Vet Tech Program near Lebanon PA

Lebanon PA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right veterinary technician program is an important first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet tech colleges must make their decision based on a number of key issues. 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 when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you choose 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 evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Lebanon PA.