Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools New Cumberland PA

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech School near New Cumberland Pennsylvania

New Cumberland PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near New Cumberland PA could initially feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the correct choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. Once they have identified some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in New Cumberland PA

cat with cone after surgery in New Cumberland PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many tasks that they can carry out within the New Cumberland PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in New Cumberland

student attending online vet tech school in New Cumberland PA An option that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local New Cumberland PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask New Cumberland PA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask New Cumberland PA vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the New Cumberland PA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of New Cumberland PA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some New Cumberland PA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may 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 professional setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs established with New Cumberland PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate could indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the New Cumberland PA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the New Cumberland PA colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, 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 vet tech classes from your New Cumberland PA home, you must make certain that the driving 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, particularly if the school is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near New Cumberland PA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family issues. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near New Cumberland PA?

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

New Cumberland, Pennsylvania

New Cumberland is a borough in easternmost Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. New Cumberland was incorporated on March 21, 1831. The population was 7,277 at the 2010 census.[3] The borough is noted for its historic downtown which includes landmarks like the historic West Shore Theater and the yearly Apple Festival, which gathers hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors.[4][5]

New Cumberland is located at 40°13′45″N 76°52′26″W / 40.22917°N 76.87389°W / 40.22917; -76.87389 (40.229140, -76.873992)[6] and borders the western bank of the Susquehanna River in South Central Pennsylvania. It is bordered to the south by Yellow Breeches Creek, across which is York County and the Capital City Airport. To the west is Lower Allen Township, and to the north is the borough of Lemoyne. New Cumberland is situated along the southern edge of the Cumberland Valley.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.68 square miles (4.36 km2), of which 1.68 square miles (4.34 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2), or 0.62%, is water.[3]

Enroll in the Ideal Veterinary Technician College near New Cumberland PA

New Cumberland PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech programs must make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in New Cumberland PA.