Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Washington PA

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech Program near Washington Pennsylvania

Washington PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Washington PA might initially feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a school that will provide the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle assessing and contrasting schools so that you can make the correct selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their homes. Once they have found some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make a final selection. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Washington PA

cat with cone after surgery in Washington PA Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many jobs that they can perform within the Washington PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and typically acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 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, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Washington

student attending online vet tech school in Washington PA An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Washington PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. 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 courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Washington PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Washington PA vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinary degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Washington PA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech 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). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that verifies you will obtain a superior 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. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for many Washington PA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian 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 schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with 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 pointer, contact some Washington PA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Washington PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate might indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Washington PA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Washington PA programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Washington PA home, you must make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the vet schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible 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 Washington PA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Washington PA?

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

Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

Prior to the Revolutionary War the Fort Washington area was settled by many German immigrants. One such person was Philip Engard who immigrated in 1728. Engard purchased 100 acres (40 ha) on what was to be named Susquehanna Road and Fort Washington Avenue. By the mid-18th century the area came to be known as Engardtown, and Fort Washington Avenue was originally called Engardtown Road. The house built by Philip Engard is listed as the "Engard Family Home - 1765" in the Upper Dublin Township Open Space & Environmental Resource Protection Plan - 2005, as part of the Upper Dublin Historical Properties #25.

During the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War, George Washington and the Continental Army were encamped here after their October 4, 1777 defeat at the Battle of Germantown, and immediately prior to their march to Valley Forge. From December 5–8, 1777, the Battle of White Marsh was fought here between British and American forces. Throughout the encampment, Washington was headquartered at the Emlen House, built by Quaker George Emlen in 1745. British commander General William Howe observed the American lines from the bell tower of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church (at Bethlehem Pike and Camp Hill Road), site of the British encampment on December 5. Today, Fort Washington State Park contains the area in which the primary American defenses were situated.

On July 17, 1856, Fort Washington was the site of one of the worst train accidents in the United States when two North Pennsylvania Railroad trains collided with one another near the Sandy Run station (later renamed to Camp Hill, now the defunct Fellwick Station). The exact number of deaths is uncertain, but 59 were killed instantly and dozens more perished from their injuries. Many of the dead were children from St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church from the Kensington section of Philadelphia, who were traveling to Sheaff's Woods, a park in the Fort Washington area, for a Sunday school picnic.[1][2]

Choose the Ideal Vet Tech College near Washington PA

Washington PA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician school is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about vet tech programs must make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent 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 choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Washington PA.