Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Sumneytown PA

How to Select a Vet Tech School near Sumneytown Pennsylvania

Sumneytown PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Sumneytown PA could at first feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the best choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have found some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when comparing vet tech programs, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing 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 talk about the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Sumneytown PA

cat with cone after surgery in Sumneytown PA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Sumneytown PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and normally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably 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 vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Sumneytown

student attending online vet tech school in Sumneytown PA An approach 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 provided via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Sumneytown PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for travel and study supplies, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Sumneytown PA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Sumneytown PA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Sumneytown PA area and across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Sumneytown PA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and contacting 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 specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Sumneytown PA veterinarians 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 recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Sumneytown PA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate could signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Sumneytown PA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Sumneytown PA colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Sumneytown PA home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into 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, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do opt 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. Of course attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Sumneytown PA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Sumneytown PA?

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

Pennsylvania Route 63

Pennsylvania Route 63 (PA 63) is a 37.4-mile-long (60.2 km) state highway located in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. The western terminus of the route is at PA 29 in Green Lane, Montgomery County. The eastern terminus is at Interstate 95 (I-95) in Bensalem Township, Bucks County. The route heads through a mix of suburban and rural areas of northern Montgomery County as a two-lane road, passing through Harleysville, before coming to an interchange with I-476 (Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension) in Towamencin Township. From this point, PA 63 continues through predominantly suburban areas of eastern Montgomery County as a two- to four-lane road, passing through Lansdale, Maple Glen, Willow Grove, and Huntingdon Valley. Upon entering Northeast Philadelphia, the route follows Red Lion Road and U.S. Route 1 (US 1) before heading southeast on a freeway called Woodhaven Road to I-95.

What would become PA 63 was originally designated as Legislative Route 198 in 1911, running from Green Lane to Northeast Philadelphia. When first designated, PA 63 ran from PA 29 in Green Lane to US 611 (now PA 611) in Willow Grove, following its current alignment. In 1928, it was extended east to PA 532 in Northeast Philadelphia, following Edge Hill Road, Terwood Road, and Welsh Road to Bethayres, where the route continued along Philmont Avenue to PA 532. By 1940, PA 63 was moved to its current alignment between Willow Grove and Bethayres and was realigned to follow Byberry Road to PA 532. The former alignment of PA 63 on Edge Hill Road and Terwood Road became PA 163, which was removed by 1950. In the 1950s, the Woodhaven Road freeway was planned to serve Northeast Philadelphia, connecting I-95 to PA 63 at Philmont Avenue, with a further extension to I-276 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) in Southampton once planned. The freeway was completed to Evans Street just west of US 1 in the 1960s and PA 63 was extended along Byberry Road and Woodhaven Road to end at I-95. In the 1980s, PA 63 was rerouted to use Red Lion Road and US 1 to reach Woodhaven Road. Plans to extend Woodhaven Road through the rest of Northeast Philadelphia remain, but have been on hold due to community opposition and financial constraints.

PA 63 begins at a "T" intersection with PA 29 in the borough of Green Lane in Montgomery County.[3] From this intersection, the route heads southeast as two-lane undivided Main Street, passing by several homes. After crossing Upper Ridge Road, the road crosses into Marlborough Township and becomes Sumneytown Pike. PA 63 continues through rural areas with some development, passing through the community of Sumneytown. Upon crossing Unami Creek, the route enters Upper Salford Township and heads into forested areas, where PA 63 meets the southern terminus of PA 563 (Ridge Road).[4][3] Following that intersection, the road passes through a mix of farmland, woodland, and residential developments.[4] The route crosses over the East Branch of Perkiomen Creek before crossing into Lower Salford Township.[3] At this point, PA 63 becomes Main Street and heads into the community of Harleysville, where it passes through suburban residential neighborhoods before heading into a commercial area, crossing PA 113 (Harleysville Pike).[4][3]

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Sumneytown PA

Sumneytown PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech school is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet tech schools must make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Sumneytown PA.