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How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Lemont Pennsylvania

Lemont PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Lemont PA could initially feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will provide the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. When they have located some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when comparing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training options available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Lemont PA

cat with cone after surgery in Lemont PA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Lemont PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialization.

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 finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive 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 fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. Therefore the main 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, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Lemont PA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Lemont

student attending online vet tech school in Lemont PA An approach that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Lemont PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Lemont PA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Lemont PA vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Lemont PA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Lemont PA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions 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 specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Lemont PA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Lemont PA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Lemont PA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Lemont PA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Lemont PA home, you need to confirm that the driving 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 school is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the vet schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lemont PA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lemont PA?

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

Lemont, Pennsylvania

Lemont is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is the location of the only remaining granary in Pennsylvania. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,270 at the 2010 census.[1]

Lemont is located in southern Centre County at 40°48′36″N 77°49′5″W / 40.81000°N 77.81806°W / 40.81000; -77.81806 (40.809911, -77.818152),[2] in the center of College Township. It is located 2 miles (3 km) northeast of the borough of State College. U.S. Route 322, the borough bypass, forms the western edge of Lemont. It is bordered by Houserville to the north.

The community is in the valley of Spring Creek, a north-flowing tributary of Bald Eagle Creek and part of the Susquehanna River watershed. The southwest end of Mount Nittany rises above the eastern edge of the village.

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician School near Lemont PA

Lemont PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech college is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Students looking into veterinary technician colleges must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Lemont PA.