Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Southampton PA

How to Select a Vet Tech Program near Southampton Pennsylvania

Southampton PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Southampton PA could at first seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the right choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. After they have located some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the different duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Southampton PA

cat with cone after surgery in Southampton PA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of tasks that they can carry out within the Southampton PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, 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 technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and normally earn a two 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 basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So 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 work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Southampton

student attending online vet tech school in Southampton PA An alternative 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 training program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Southampton PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for travel and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Southampton PA Veterinary Technician Schools

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

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among 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 screening process that confirms you will receive 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 offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Southampton PA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Southampton PA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Southampton PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate might indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Southampton PA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not highly 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 may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Southampton PA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Southampton PA home, you need to make sure 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, especially if the campus is located in or near 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 particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Southampton PA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family issues. You might find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Southampton PA?

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

Southampton, Pennsylvania

Southampton, Pennsylvania is a namesake of Southampton, England, the seaport from which adventurous followers of William Penn sailed to the Province of Pennsylvania. By 1685, Southampton was recognized by the Provincial Council as a township, and the lands within its borders had been allocated to thirteen original purchasers: John Luff, John Martin, Robert Pressmore, Richard Wood, John Jones, Mark Betres, John Swift, Enoch Flowers, Joseph Jones, Thomas Groom, Robert Marsh, Thomas Hould and John Gilbert, whose tracts were delineated on a Map of the Improved Part of the Province of Pennsylvania drafted by Thomas Holme, Penn's Surveyor General.

Southampton's boundaries at that time extended eastward to Bensalem, and it was not until 1929 that the township was divided into "Upper Southampton" and "Lower Southampton". Its immediate bordering towns are now Feasterville, Huntingdon Valley, Warminster, and Churchville.

In order to ensure peaceful coexistence with the Indians residing in this region, Penn purchased the land with wampum and other valuable commodities including items of clothing, fish hooks, axes, knives and other useful tools. The area between the Pennypack and Neshaminy Creeks, encompassing Southampton Township, was conveyed by the Lenni-Lenape Chief Tamanend to William Penn by Deed dated June 23, 1683.

Select the Best Vet Tech School near Southampton PA

Southampton PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet tech programs need to make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you select 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 provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Southampton PA.