Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Shippingport PA

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Shippingport Pennsylvania

Shippingport PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Shippingport PA might at first seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to 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 go about analyzing and comparing programs 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. After they have found some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant considerations when assessing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate selection. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Shippingport PA

cat with cone after surgery in Shippingport PA Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Shippingport PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, 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 techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. Therefore the main distinction 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 also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Shippingport

student attending online vet tech school in Shippingport PA An option that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Shippingport PA veterinary 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 supplies, can be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. 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 fashion, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Shippingport PA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Shippingport PA vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Shippingport PA area and across the United States, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, one of 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 demanding screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Shippingport PA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate 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 internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Shippingport PA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Shippingport PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate may suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Shippingport PA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Shippingport PA colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning 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 Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Shippingport PA home, you must confirm that the driving time fits into 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, especially if the college is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Shippingport PA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Shippingport PA?

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

Shippingport, Pennsylvania

Shippingport is the site of the United States' first commercial nuclear power plant, the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, which began operation in 1957.[4] Although the original Shippingport reactor was decommissioned in 1982,[5] the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station Units 1 and 2 from the same site have been in operation since 1976 and 1987, respectively.

Shippingport is located in west-central Beaver County at 40°37′25″N 80°25′29″W / 40.62361°N 80.42472°W / 40.62361; -80.42472 (40.623594, -80.424691),[6] on the south side of the Ohio River. It is bordered to the southwest by Greene Township and to the southeast by Raccoon Township. To the north, across the Ohio River, are the boroughs of Industry (north) and Midland (northwest). The Shippingport Bridge carries Pennsylvania Route 168 across the river into Industry.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Shippingport has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.5 km2), of which 3.3 square miles (8.6 km2) is land and 0.35 square miles (0.9 km2), or 9.65%, is water.[3]

Select the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Shippingport PA

Shippingport PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician program is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about vet tech programs need to make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks 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 profession. This goes for 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 choices so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the ideal program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Shippingport PA.