Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Warrendale PA

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near Warrendale Pennsylvania

Warrendale PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Warrendale PA could at first seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach assessing and contrasting schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. After they have found some local colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are considering before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Warrendale PA

cat with cone after surgery in Warrendale PA Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs 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 numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Warrendale PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a structured 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 veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Warrendale

student attending online vet tech school in Warrendale PA An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Warrendale PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you select 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 self-reliant mode, an online vet tech program may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Warrendale PA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Warrendale PA vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Warrendale PA area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Warrendale PA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Warrendale PA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Warrendale PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate could suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Warrendale PA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Warrendale PA schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Warrendale PA home, you need to make certain that the driving 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, especially if the school is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you determine if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Warrendale PA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Warrendale PA?

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

Warrendale, Pennsylvania

Warrendale is a northern suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in the northwestern corner of Allegheny County. It is the home to the corporate headquarters of rue21, Joy Mining Machinery, Printing Industries of America and SAE International, as well as the United States Postal Service Pittsburgh Network Distribution Center, one of 21 such mail delivery hubs in the country. It is also the home to one of American Eagle Outfitters' four North American distribution centers.

Choose the Right Vet Tech School near Warrendale PA

Warrendale PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech program is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet tech colleges need to make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Warrendale PA.