Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Philipsburg PA

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Philipsburg Pennsylvania

Philipsburg PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Philipsburg PA could initially seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to find and enroll in a school that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the best selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. After they have identified some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied roles of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Philipsburg PA

cat with cone after surgery in Philipsburg PA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Philipsburg PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. So the main 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, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Philipsburg

student attending online vet tech school in Philipsburg PA An option that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Philipsburg PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional 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 practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Philipsburg PA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Philipsburg PA vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Philipsburg PA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, 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 a thorough screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Philipsburg PA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations 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 suggestion, contact some Philipsburg PA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools 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 clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Philipsburg PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Philipsburg PA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Philipsburg PA programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students relating to 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? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Philipsburg PA home, you must 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an alternative 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 ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Philipsburg PA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Philipsburg PA?

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

Philipsburg, Pennsylvania

Pick the Ideal Vet Tech College near Philipsburg PA

Philipsburg PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online schools 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 decision. And by selecting the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Philipsburg PA.