Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools New Providence PA

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near New Providence Pennsylvania

New Providence PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near New Providence PA may initially feel like a challenging task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. Once they have located some local colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the different roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in New Providence PA

cat with cone after surgery in New Providence PA Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the New Providence PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters 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 structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and normally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary 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 involved in more involved duties, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 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 job options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in New Providence

student attending online vet tech school in New Providence PA An option that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local New Providence PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for traveling and study materials, may be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask New Providence PA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask New Providence PA vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinary credential that you want to earn, 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 New Providence PA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier 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 undergone an extensive review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of New Providence PA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet 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 complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some New Providence PA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with New Providence PA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate might signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the New Providence PA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the New Providence PA colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your New Providence PA home, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near New Providence PA. Some may 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. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near New Providence PA?

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

Nether Providence Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Nether Providence Township is a first class township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. Many residents refer to the township by the name of its largest community, Wallingford, because the Wallingford postal code is used for most of the township. The population of the township was 13,706 at the 2010 census.[4]

Nether Providence Township is located in central Delaware County at 39°53′40″N 75°22′25″W / 39.89444°N 75.37361°W / 39.89444; -75.37361 (39.894612, -75.373705).[5] It is bordered to the north by the borough of Media, the county seat. Other neighboring municipalities are Upper Providence Township to the north; Springfield Township, the borough of Swarthmore, and Ridley Township to the east; the city of Chester to the south; and the boroughs of Brookhaven and Rose Valley to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12.2 km2), of which 0.01 square miles (0.02 km2), or 0.17%, is water.[4]Crum Creek forms the eastern boundary of the township, and Ridley Creek forms the western and southern border. Nether Providence's commercial area or downtown is located on Providence Road between the bridge over SEPTA's R3/Media Elwyn line and Wallingford Avenue. Interstate 476 runs up the east side of the township near Crum Creek, with access from Exit 3 (Baltimore Pike).

Enroll in the Ideal Vet Tech College near New Providence PA

New Providence PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech school is an important first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician schools need to 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 handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in New Providence PA.