Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Phoenixville PA

How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Phoenixville Pennsylvania

Phoenixville PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Phoenixville PA might initially seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the right choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. When they have identified some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when comparing vet tech programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Phoenixville PA

cat with cone after surgery in Phoenixville PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Phoenixville PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each position.

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 completing 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 complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain 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 general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Phoenixville

student attending online vet tech school in Phoenixville PA An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Phoenixville PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for travel and study materials, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. 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 right choice for you.

Things to Ask Phoenixville PA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Phoenixville PA vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Phoenixville PA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Phoenixville PA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Phoenixville PA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Phoenixville PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate could signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Phoenixville PA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower 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 Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Phoenixville PA programs you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Phoenixville PA home, you have to make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or near 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 higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Phoenixville PA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Phoenixville PA?

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

Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

Phoenixville is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States, 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Philadelphia, at the junction of French Creek with the Schuylkill River. It is located in the Philadelphia Metro Area. The population is 16,440 as of the 2010 Census.[4]

Originally called Manavon, Phoenixville was settled in 1732 and incorporated as a borough in 1849. In its industrial heyday early in the twentieth century, it was an important manufacturing center and it was the site of great iron and steel mills such as the Phoenix Iron Works, boiler works, silk mill, underwear and hosiery factories, a match factory, and the famous (and now highly collectible) Etruscan majolica pottery. Like many American towns and cities, Phoenixville owes its growth to its waterways. It is not only situated on the broad Schuylkill River, a historic thoroughfare to Native Americans and early settlers alike, but it is bisected by the fast-flowing French Creek, which was quickly harnessed for water power.

Much of this history was recognized by the creation of the Phoenixville Historic District, the largest National Register of Historic Places site in Chester County. The Black Rock Bridge, Gay Street School, and Schuylkill Navigation Canal, Oakes Reach Section are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[5]

Enroll in the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Phoenixville PA

Phoenixville PA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right veterinary technician school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their determination based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Phoenixville PA.