Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Springfield PA

How to Select a Veterinary Technician Program near Springfield Pennsylvania

Springfield PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Springfield PA could at first seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you have to find and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the right selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. After they have identified some local schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when evaluating vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Springfield PA

cat with cone after surgery in Springfield PA Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to 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 numerous tasks that they can perform within the Springfield PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances 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 technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years. Therefore 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 career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Springfield

student attending online vet tech school in Springfield PA An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Springfield PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Springfield PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Springfield PA vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Springfield PA area and across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a school 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 need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for a number of Springfield PA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school rating 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 violations involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Springfield PA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Springfield PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Springfield PA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Springfield PA colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Springfield PA home, you must make certain that the driving time fits into 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, especially if the campus is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating 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 in the evenings near Springfield PA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Springfield PA?

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

Springfield Township, Pennsylvania

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Springfield PA

Springfield PA vet tech holding dog Picking the right vet tech program is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into veterinary technician programs must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you pick 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 choices so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Springfield PA.