Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Rehrersburg PA

How to Find the Right Vet Tech School near Rehrersburg Pennsylvania

Rehrersburg PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Rehrersburg PA could initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must locate and enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and contrasting schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have identified some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when assessing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Rehrersburg PA

cat with cone after surgery in Rehrersburg PA Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Rehrersburg PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through 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 veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years to complete. Therefore the main 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 options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Rehrersburg PA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Rehrersburg

student attending online vet tech school in Rehrersburg PA An option that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered by means of 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 the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Rehrersburg PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for traveling and study materials, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the program 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 comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Rehrersburg PA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Rehrersburg PA vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Rehrersburg PA area and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Rehrersburg PA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Rehrersburg PA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Rehrersburg PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech 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 evaluating. A low rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Rehrersburg PA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Rehrersburg PA programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Rehrersburg PA home, you must make certain that the driving 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 in or near a larger 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 particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are considering 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 at night near Rehrersburg PA. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Rehrersburg PA?

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

Rehrersburg, Pennsylvania

Rehrersburg is a census-designated place[2] in Tulpehocken Township in northwestern Berks County, Pennsylvania, near PA Route 419. The community was founded on April 4, 1803, by John Jacob Rehrer. Residents celebrated the town's bicentennial on Saturday, September 20, 2003. As of the 2010 census, the population was 319 residents.[3]

Choose the Ideal Vet Tech School near Rehrersburg PA

Rehrersburg PA vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students considering veterinary technician schools must 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 duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Rehrersburg PA.