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How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Stevens Pennsylvania

Stevens PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Stevens PA could at first feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. Once they have located some local colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when assessing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Stevens PA

cat with cone after surgery in Stevens PA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous tasks that they can carry out within the Stevens PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, 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 standard vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. 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 involved with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Stevens

student attending online vet tech school in Stevens PA An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Stevens PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Stevens PA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Stevens PA vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Stevens PA area and across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm 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 rigorous screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Stevens PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online 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 regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Stevens PA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Stevens PA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate might signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify 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 exceptional reputation within the Stevens PA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Stevens PA schools you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Stevens PA home, you must make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Stevens PA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Stevens PA?

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

Thaddeus Stevens

Thaddeus Stevens (April 4, 1792 – August 11, 1868) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania and one of the leaders of the Radical Republican faction of the Republican Party during the 1860s. A fierce opponent of slavery and discrimination against African-Americans, Stevens sought to secure their rights during Reconstruction, in opposition to U.S. President Andrew Johnson. As chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee during the American Civil War, he played a leading role, focusing his attention on defeating the Confederacy, financing the war with new taxes and borrowing, crushing the power of slave owners, ending slavery, and securing equal rights for the Freedmen.

Stevens was born in rural Vermont, in poverty, and with a club foot, which left him with a permanent limp. He moved to Pennsylvania as a young man, and quickly became a successful lawyer in Gettysburg. He interested himself in municipal affairs, and then in politics. He was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he became a strong advocate of free public education. Financial setbacks in 1842 caused him to move his home and practice to the larger city of Lancaster. There, he joined the Whig Party, and was elected to Congress in 1848. His activities as a lawyer and politician in opposition to slavery cost him votes and he did not seek reelection in 1852. After a brief flirtation with the Know-Nothing Party, Stevens joined the newly formed Republican Party, and was elected to Congress again in 1858. There, with fellow radicals such as Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner, he opposed the expansion of slavery and concessions to the South as war came.

Stevens argued that slavery should not survive the war; he was frustrated by the slowness of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln to support his position. He guided the government's financial legislation through the House as Ways and Means chairman. As the war progressed towards a northern victory, Stevens came to believe that not only should slavery be abolished, but that African-Americans should be given a stake in the South's future through the confiscation of land from planters to be distributed to the freedmen. His plans went too far for the Moderate Republicans and were not enacted.

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician School near Stevens PA

Stevens PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about veterinary technician schools must make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Stevens PA.