Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools New Oxford PA

How to Choose a Vet Tech School near New Oxford Pennsylvania

New Oxford PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near New Oxford PA may initially feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their homes. When they have identified some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in New Oxford PA

cat with cone after surgery in New Oxford PA One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the New Oxford PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, 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 techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some 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 get more extensive training compared to assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in New Oxford PA labs or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in New Oxford

student attending online vet tech school in New Oxford PA An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local New Oxford PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask New Oxford PA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask New Oxford PA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the New Oxford PA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for a number of New Oxford PA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some New Oxford PA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with New Oxford PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can 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 lower rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the New Oxford PA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the New Oxford PA programs you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students concerning 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 College Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your New Oxford PA home, you need to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, 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 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 increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you determine if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near New Oxford PA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near New Oxford PA?

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

New Oxford, Pennsylvania

New Oxford was originally platted in 1792 for Henry Kuhn by James Bolton and identified as "Oxford town" due to the presence of a nearby stream ford and a local establishment named "Dutch Frederick's stand" with the head of an ox on the front of the building.[4] This was changed again in 1822 by the town's first postmaster, Dr. Pfeiffer to "New Oxford".[5] New Oxford was incorporated as borough in August 20, 1874, and Joseph S. Gitt was elected as its first president and then served as secretary through 1891.[6][7] In 1886, the population was 209, with 67 horses,40 cattle, 65 "pleasure carriages", and 14 gold watches.[4]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 1,696 people, 678 households, and 448 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,700.7 people per square mile (1,039.4/km²). There were 725 housing units at an average density of 1,154.5 per square mile (444.3/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 92.45% White, 1.36% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 4.42% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.96% of the population.

There were 678 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.05.

Pick the Right Veterinary Technician School near New Oxford PA

New Oxford PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students looking into veterinary technician colleges must make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in New Oxford PA.