Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Shenandoah PA

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near Shenandoah Pennsylvania

Shenandoah PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Shenandoah PA might at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the correct selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. Once they have found some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable 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. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make a final decision. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training options available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Shenandoah PA

cat with cone after surgery in Shenandoah PA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Shenandoah PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational 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. Usually they are not involved with more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training in contrast to assistants and normally earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Shenandoah

student attending online vet tech school in Shenandoah PA An approach 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 program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Shenandoah PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. 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 classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Shenandoah PA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Shenandoah PA vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Shenandoah PA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for many Shenandoah PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Shenandoah PA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Shenandoah PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools 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 Shenandoah PA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Shenandoah PA colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Shenandoah PA home, you must confirm that the driving 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 campus is located close by or within a large 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 increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Shenandoah PA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Shenandoah PA?

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

Shenandoah, Pennsylvania

Shenandoah is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States, located in the anthracite-mining region approximately 200 miles (320 km) west of New York City and 108 miles northwest of Philadelphia. It is distinct from Shenandoah Heights, which is part of West Mahanoy Township immediately to the north.

The area that became Shenandoah was first settled by a farmer named Peter Kehley in 1835 where he cleared a patch of land at the center of the valley and built a log cabin. Peter Kehley maintained his farm for about 20 years in total isolation.[3] He sold his claim to the Philadelphia Land Company, which in anticipation of the opening of coal mines in the area, laid out the town in 1862.[4]

Booming growth occurred during the Civil War years caused by the development and opening of several anthracite coal mines.[citation needed] The area was incorporated as a borough in 1866[4] and was a famous hotbed of activity during the era of the Molly Maguires in the 1870s.[citation needed]

Select the Right Veterinary Technician College near Shenandoah PA

Shenandoah PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech program is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students considering vet tech schools must make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Shenandoah PA.