Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Shippensburg PA

How to Find the Right Vet Tech Program near Shippensburg Pennsylvania

Shippensburg PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Shippensburg PA could initially seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a program that will provide the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the proper selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. Once they have identified some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when comparing vet tech programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are considering before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Shippensburg PA

cat with cone after surgery in Shippensburg PA Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many tasks that they can carry out within the Shippensburg PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, 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 veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and generally earn 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 general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required 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 emergency care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Shippensburg PA labs or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Shippensburg

student attending online vet tech school in Shippensburg PA An approach that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Shippensburg PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for example for commuting and study materials, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Shippensburg PA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Shippensburg PA vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Shippensburg PA area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for many Shippensburg PA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking 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 regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Shippensburg PA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Shippensburg PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Shippensburg PA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Shippensburg PA programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Shippensburg PA home, you need 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough 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 Shippensburg PA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Shippensburg PA?

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

Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

Shippensburg is a borough in Cumberland and Franklin counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Settled in 1730, Shippensburg lies in the Cumberland Valley, 41 miles (66 km) southwest of Harrisburg, and is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,492 at the 2010 census.[5] Of this, 4,416 were in Cumberland County, and 1,076 were in Franklin County.

Shippensburg was incorporated as a borough on January 21, 1819. In the past, there were furniture factories, engine and pump works, and other industrial works located within the town. Shippensburg is the home of the Beistle Company, the oldest and largest manufacturer of decorations and party goods, which sells its distinctive honeycomb paper decorations worldwide. It is also the location of Pague and Fegan, the oldest continuously operated hardware store in Pennsylvania. In May 2012, Volvo Construction Equipment began a $100 million expansion project to bring its American headquarters to Shippensburg.[6]

Shippensburg is the oldest community of the Cumberland Valley, and the second oldest west of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania (after York to the east). In July 1730, 12 Scots-Irish families came to the site of the present-day Shippensburg and built cabin homes along Burd's Run. Shippensburg began as the western outpost of colonial settlement.

Enroll in the Right Veterinary Technician School near Shippensburg PA

Shippensburg PA vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician schools need to make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, 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 applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Shippensburg PA.