Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Stillwater PA

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech Program near Stillwater Pennsylvania

Stillwater PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Stillwater PA might initially feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about assessing and contrasting schools so that you can make the right selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. When they have found some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the various roles of vet techs and the training options available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Stillwater PA

cat with cone after surgery in Stillwater PA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision 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 specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Stillwater PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing 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. Generally they are not involved with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and normally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Stillwater

student attending online vet tech school in Stillwater PA An approach that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Stillwater PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for traveling and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. 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 self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Stillwater PA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Stillwater PA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Stillwater PA area and across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune 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 previously touched on other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of 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 review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Stillwater PA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online 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 grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Stillwater PA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way 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 Stillwater PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate might signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Stillwater PA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Stillwater PA programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk 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 covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Stillwater PA home, you have to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Stillwater PA. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Stillwater PA?

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

Stillwater, Pennsylvania

The first store in Stillwater was founded in 1847 by Daniel and James McHenry. Stillwater was officially separated from Fishing Creek Township in 1899. There were few industries in the borough in the past, and those that did exist had mainly to do with lumber. The Stillwater Covered Bridge No. 134 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.[4]

Stillwater is located in northeastern Columbia County at 41°9′1″N 76°22′0″W / 41.15028°N 76.36667°W / 41.15028; -76.36667 (41.150244, -76.366751).[5] According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.2 km2), of which 3.1 square miles (8.1 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 1.32%, is water.[3] Stillwater is 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Bloomsburg, the county seat, via Pennsylvania Route 487, which continues north 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to Benton and beyond. Fishing Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, runs southward through Stillwater. Stillwater is flat in the middle, with rolling hills in the east and west.[6]

As of the census[8] of 2010, there were 209 people, 85 households, and 56 families residing in the borough. The population density was 63.1 people per square mile (24.4/km²). There were 96 housing units at an average density of 31.2 per square mile (12.1/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 100.00% White.

Select the Right Veterinary Technician College near Stillwater PA

Stillwater PA vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students looking into veterinary technician programs must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential 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 schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Stillwater PA.