Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Strausstown PA

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Strausstown Pennsylvania

Strausstown PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Strausstown PA may initially feel like a challenging task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach assessing and contrasting schools so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. After they have located some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when assessing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing 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 go over the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Strausstown PA

cat with cone after surgery in Strausstown PA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Strausstown PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, 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 execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced 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 sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Strausstown

student attending online vet tech school in Strausstown PA An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Strausstown PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for commuting and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical 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 school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Strausstown PA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Strausstown PA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Strausstown PA area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select 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 an extensive screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Strausstown PA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Strausstown PA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Strausstown PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate could indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Strausstown PA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not highly 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, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Strausstown PA programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Strausstown PA home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with 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, particularly if the campus is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Strausstown PA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Strausstown PA?

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

Strausstown, Pennsylvania

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 339 people, 139 households, and 89 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,919.6 people per square mile (727.2/km²). There were 146 housing units at an average density of 826.7 per square mile (313.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.23% White, 1.47% Asian, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.

There were 139 households, out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.

Pick the Ideal Vet Tech Program near Strausstown PA

Strausstown PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students looking into veterinary technician programs need to make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as 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 online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Strausstown PA.