Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Plymouth Meeting PA

How to Select a Vet Tech Program near Plymouth Meeting Pennsylvania

Plymouth Meeting PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Plymouth Meeting PA could at first seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will furnish the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the best selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their homes. When they have found some local schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when assessing 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 considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the varied duties of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Plymouth Meeting PA

cat with cone after surgery in Plymouth Meeting PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many tasks that they can carry out within the Plymouth Meeting PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and usually obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years. 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 job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Plymouth Meeting PA labs or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Plymouth Meeting

student attending online vet tech school in Plymouth Meeting PA An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Plymouth Meeting PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for example for travel and study materials, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Plymouth Meeting PA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Plymouth Meeting PA vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Plymouth Meeting PA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for a number of Plymouth Meeting PA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Plymouth Meeting PA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Plymouth Meeting PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate could suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Plymouth Meeting PA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Plymouth Meeting PA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get 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 School Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Plymouth Meeting PA home, you have to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, 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 close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you find out if the vet schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible 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 at night near Plymouth Meeting PA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family issues. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Plymouth Meeting PA?

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

Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania

The population of Plymouth Meeting was 6,177 in the 2010 census. Plymouth Meeting is home to the Colonial School District, the recently renovated Plymouth Meeting Mall and several large office parks and shopping centers. It was home to IKEA's U.S. headquarters.[3] The confluence of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276), the Blue Route (I-476) and the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-476) at the Mid-County Interchange occur in Plymouth Meeting. This interchange contributes to regional commerce and was a major driver for business and retail development.

The area was originally settled by members of the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, who built the Plymouth Friends Meetinghouse in 1708. They sailed from Devonshire, England, on the ship Desire, arriving in Philadelphia on June 23, 1686. The settlement takes its name from the founders' hometown of Plymouth in Devon.

During the Revolutionary War, in May 1778, the Plymouth Friends Meetinghouse served as a temporary military hospital. General George Washington, then at Valley Forge, learned that a British force intended to seize the area and cut off movement of the Continental Army. He sent the Marquis de Lafayette and 2,100 troops to counter. They camped around the meetinghouse on the night before the May 19 Battle of Barren Hill. The next morning the British arrived with a massive force of 16,000, and tried to cut off any escape route. Lafayette instead took advantage of the Americans' knowledge of local roads, and escaped with minimal casualties.

Enroll in the Right Veterinary Technician School near Plymouth Meeting PA

Plymouth Meeting PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate vet tech program is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students looking into veterinary technician programs must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Plymouth Meeting PA.