Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Pittston PA - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near Pittston Pennsylvania

Pittston PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Pittston PA could initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you must find and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. When they have found some local schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when evaluating vet tech programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Pittston PA

cat with cone after surgery in Pittston PA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Pittston PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and generally obtain a two 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 function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years to complete. So the only real 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 opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Pittston

student attending online vet tech school in Pittston PA An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Pittston PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, such as for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Pittston PA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Pittston PA vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Pittston PA area and across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for many Pittston PA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Pittston PA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Pittston PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

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

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Pittston PA colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Pittston PA home, you have to make certain that the driving time is compatible with 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 college is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Pittston PA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Pittston PA?

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

Pittston, Pennsylvania

Pittston is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is situated between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. The city gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as an active anthracite coal mining city, drawing a large portion of its labor force from European immigrants. The population was 7,739 as of the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest city in Luzerne County.[3] At its peak in 1920, the population of Pittston was 18,497. The city consists of three sections: The Downtown (in the center of the city), the Oregon Section (in the southern end), and the Junction (in the northern end). Pittston City is at the heart of the Greater Pittston region (a 65.35 square mile region in Luzerne County). Greater Pittston has a total population of 48,020 (as of 2010).[4]

Pittston lies in the Wyoming Valley on the east side of the Susquehanna River and on the south side of the Lackawanna River. It is approximately midway between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. Named after the famous British statesman William Pitt the Elder, the city was settled around 1770 by the Susquehanna Company of Connecticut. It was originally called "Pittstown."

During the Revolutionary War, the Wyoming Valley was an active battleground between the British and the Continentals (American Patriots). On July 3, 1778, a force of British soldiers, with the assistance of about 700 Indians, attacked and killed nearly 300 American Patriots (in present-day Wyoming). Connecticut Continentals (Patriots), led by Captain Jeremiah Blanchard and Lieutenant Timothy Keyes, held and maintained a fort in Pittstown (present-day Pittston City). On July 4, 1778 (one day after the Battle of Wyoming), a group of British soldiers took over the fortress and some of it was destroyed. Two years later, the Continentals stormed the fortification and recaptured it. From then on it was under Patriot control until the end of the war in 1783, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Today a marker stands at the site where the fort once stood.

Pick the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Pittston PA

Pittston PA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students looking into vet tech schools must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and support 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 outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Pittston PA.