Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools North East PA

How to Select a Vet Tech School near North East Pennsylvania

North East PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near North East PA might at first feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. Once they have located some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate selection. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in North East PA

cat with cone after surgery in North East PA One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the North East PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and generally earn a two 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 basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can 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 North East PA labs or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in North East

student attending online vet tech school in North East PA An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local North East PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for instance for commuting and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified 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 independent fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask North East PA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask North East PA vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the North East PA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, 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 a rigorous screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many North East PA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some North East PA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with North East PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the North East PA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify 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 larger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the North East PA programs you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback 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 College Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your North East PA home, you need to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in 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. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near North East PA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near North East PA?

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

North East, Pennsylvania

North East is a borough in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States, 14 miles (23 km) northeast of Erie in the northernmost part of the state; so named because it was in the county's northeastern corner. Fruit growing was an early economic endeavor, and is still to this day, as this is a popular area especially for cherries and grapes. There is an annual Cherry Festival in the summer and an annual Wine Country Harvest Festival in the fall. It contains one junior college, Mercyhurst North East. The population was 4,294 at the 2010 census,[4] down from 4,601 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Erie Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the northernmost town in Pennsylvania. The name "North East" is not a misnomer, even though the borough is located in extreme northwestern Pennsylvania, it received it name for its northeastern-most location within Erie County.

As part of the Erie Triangle, it was only in 1792 that the locale was legally established as part of Pennsylvania. However, North East did not receive its first settler until 1794, still several years before the county (Erie) and township (North East) were organized. Originally the North East Township was called "Lower Greenfield" being downstream from Greenfield Township. The first road was built in 1797 from present day Freeport at the mouth of Sixteenmile Creek to present day Colt Station now in Greenfield Township. That road was extended in 1798 to where French Creek forks (present day Wattsburg).[6] In 1798 the first school was formed.[5][7] In 1800 a road from the village of North East to Wattsburg was opened, it paralleled, but ran east of, the first one from Freeport.[8] In 1801 the first church was organized, it was Presbyterian.[7]

North East is located in northeastern Erie County at 42°12′48″N 79°50′1″W / 42.21333°N 79.83361°W / 42.21333; -79.83361 (42.213385, -79.833711).[11] It is surrounded by North East Township.

Pick the Best Vet Tech College near North East PA

North East PA vet tech holding dog Picking the right veterinary technician college is an important first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students considering veterinary technician colleges must make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges 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 selection. And by choosing the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in North East PA.