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How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near Oxford Pennsylvania

Oxford PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Oxford PA might at first seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the necessary training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their residences. Once they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important considerations when assessing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Oxford PA

cat with cone after surgery in Oxford PA Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many jobs that they can carry out within the Oxford PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing 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 execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular 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 compared with assistants and normally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real difference 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 potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Oxford

student attending online vet tech school in Oxford PA An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several 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 Oxford PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school 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 dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Oxford PA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Oxford PA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Oxford PA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions to help 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 important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected 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 get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for a number of Oxford PA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Oxford PA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Oxford PA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Oxford PA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Oxford PA colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Oxford PA home, you have to confirm 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, particularly if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Oxford PA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Oxford PA?

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

Oxford, Pennsylvania

Oxford is located near the half-way point on the main road from Philadelphia to Baltimore. The owner of the stage between the two cities purchased Hood's Tavern and renamed it Oxford Hotel. It became the stopping point on the two-day trip between the two cities.

The northern half of Oxford was owned by the Dickey family in the 19th century. The Dickeys included the local Presbyterian minister, the Mr O'Malley of the local bank, a state Representative, and local businessmen. Reverend John Miller Dickey and his wife Sarah Emlen Cresson founded Ashmun Institute in 1854, and which later became Lincoln University. The family played a major role in re-routing the new Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Railroad (P&BC) through Oxford. Track was laid in the 1850s. The railroad reached Oxford in 1860 and later connected to Philadelphia and Baltimore.[4] By the time of the Civil War, Oxford was a bustling community. The business district on Third Street was entirely re-built at this time, including the Oxford Hotel (1858) and Oxford Hall (1862). Oxford became known for its confectionery and candy businesses and was the location of many manufacturing facilities. A second railroad, the Peach Bottom Railway, was built in the 1870s from Oxford to Peach Bottom. It carried farm products and passengers but was not profitable. It struggled through three bankruptcies and reorganized as the Lancaster, Oxford and Southern Railway, finally closing permanently in 1918.[5]

The Pennsylvania Railroad took control of the P&BC on the eve of World War I. Passenger train service on the line ended in 1935.[6] In the late 20th century, transportation changes resulted in Oxford being located off the main roads. A bypass was constructed for U.S. Route 1 in the late 1960s,[7] but the major change was the 1963 opening of Interstate 95, which shifted the bulk of the Philadelphia-Baltimore traffic away from Oxford. The former Pennsylvania Railroad Station is now the borough hall.[8]

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician College near Oxford PA

Oxford PA vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech school is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet tech schools must make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Oxford PA.