Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Smithton PA - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Smithton Pennsylvania

Smithton PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Smithton PA might initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a school that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the right choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. When they have identified some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important factors when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Smithton PA

cat with cone after surgery in Smithton PA Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many jobs that they can carry out within the Smithton PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. 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 complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Smithton

student attending online vet tech school in Smithton PA An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Smithton PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for travel and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. 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 self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Smithton PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Smithton PA vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Smithton PA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 undergone a demanding review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Smithton PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Smithton PA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Smithton PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Smithton PA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate 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 sized, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Smithton PA schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Smithton PA home, you have to make sure that the commuting 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 campus is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do decide 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 alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Smithton PA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Smithton PA?

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

Smithton, Pennsylvania

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 444 people, 188 households, and 124 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,858.5 people per square mile (1,428.6/km²). There were 208 housing units at an average density of 1,807.6 per square mile (669.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 99.10% White, 0.23% Native American, and 0.68% from two or more races.

There were 188 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the borough the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Smithton PA

Smithton PA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into veterinary technician programs must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Smithton PA.