Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Montgomeryville PA

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Montgomeryville Pennsylvania

Montgomeryville PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Montgomeryville PA could at first feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. After they have found some area colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when evaluating veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician schools you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different duties of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Montgomeryville PA

cat with cone after surgery in Montgomeryville PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Montgomeryville PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade 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, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to assistants and usually acquire 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 general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years to complete. So 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 work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Montgomeryville

student attending online vet tech school in Montgomeryville PA An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Montgomeryville PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for example for traveling and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Montgomeryville PA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Montgomeryville PA vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Montgomeryville PA area and across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among 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 screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Montgomeryville PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Montgomeryville PA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Montgomeryville PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate might mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the Montgomeryville PA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Montgomeryville PA colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Montgomeryville PA home, you need to make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or close by a large 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 higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the vet schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Montgomeryville PA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Montgomeryville PA?

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

Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania

Montgomeryville is a census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 12,624 at the 2010 census. Montgomeryville is about 30 miles from the center of Philadelphia. According to a 2010 Forbes magazine/Yahoo.com survey, Montgomeryville ranks 5th in America's top 10 affordable suburbs. [1] It is part of the North Penn Valley region that is centered around the borough of Lansdale.

As of the 2010 census, there were 12,624 people residing in the CDP. The racial makeup of the CDP was 77.5% White Non-Hispanic,14.6% Asian, 4.4% African American, 0.06% American Indian, 1.1% were two or more races, and 0.07% were some other race. 2.3% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[2]

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 12,031 people, 4,114 households, and 3,278 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,521.8 people per square mile (973.8/km2). There were 4,158 housing units at an average density of 871.5/sq mi (336.6/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.55% White, 3.26% African American, 0.06% Native American, 7.75% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.37% of the population.

Pick the Ideal Veterinary Technician School near Montgomeryville PA

Montgomeryville PA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech program is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students looking into vet tech schools must make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important 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 colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Montgomeryville PA.