Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Schuylkill Haven PA

How to Choose a Vet Tech Program near Schuylkill Haven Pennsylvania

Schuylkill Haven PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Schuylkill Haven PA may initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the right choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. Once they have identified some area schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important factors when assessing vet tech programs, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Schuylkill Haven PA

cat with cone after surgery in Schuylkill Haven PA One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Schuylkill Haven PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from 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. Normally they are not involved with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Schuylkill Haven PA labs or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Schuylkill Haven

student attending online vet tech school in Schuylkill Haven PA An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Schuylkill Haven PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for commuting and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Schuylkill Haven PA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Schuylkill Haven PA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Schuylkill Haven PA area and across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, 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 rigorous screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for a number of Schuylkill Haven PA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Schuylkill Haven PA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Schuylkill Haven PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching 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 find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the Schuylkill Haven PA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well thought of 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 most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Schuylkill Haven PA schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Schuylkill Haven PA home, you must make certain that the commuting 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, particularly if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Schuylkill Haven PA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Schuylkill Haven PA?

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

Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania

Schuylkill Haven is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, four miles (6 km) south of Pottsville and 89 miles (143 km) north-west of Philadelphia, in the United States. The borough's population was 5,548 as of the 2000 census. Schuylkill Haven is situated along the Schuylkill River for which it is named. Schuylkill Haven is a focal point of activity in southern Schuylkill County.

The earliest white settlers first arrived in the area in the 1730s, traveled north of the Blue Mountain at the modern Berks-Schuylkill County line at that time. The first settler in Schuylkill Haven was John Fincher, a Quaker from Chester County, Pennsylvania. Fincher received a land grant of 225 acres (0.91 km2) on March 5, 1750, the day which Schuylkill Haven considers to be its unofficial founding. Fincher constructed a house and barn near the Schuylkill River, and called his small settlement "Fincher's Ford."

The next known settler of Schuylkill Haven was Martin Dreibelbis, a German who arrived in the Spring of 1775. Martin Dreibelbis constructed a house, saw mill, distillery, and a grist mill on the eastern bank of the Schuylkill River. He later built a log house near modern-day Main Street, giving Martin Dreibelbis the title of the first citizen of Schuylkill Haven. Martin Dreibelbis willed the original plot of the town to a son, Jacob. Another son, Daniel, received an area east of the original plot, and a third son, George, received an area outside of the present borough known as "Seven Stars" (located north of Schuylkill Haven on the Schuylkill River). The original plot of Schuylkill Haven shows that the borough stretched from the Schuylkill River on the west, to present-day Main Street on the north (then known as Front Street), to Saint Peter Street on the east (then known as Jacob Street), and Liberty Street on the south. Present-day Columbia Street was the main residential district.[3]

Enroll in the Right Veterinary Technician College near Schuylkill Haven PA

Schuylkill Haven PA vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal veterinary technician school is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students thinking about vet tech programs must make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Schuylkill Haven PA.