Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools West Point PA

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech School near West Point Pennsylvania

West Point PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near West Point PA could initially seem like a challenging task. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the right choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. When they have identified some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in West Point PA

cat with cone after surgery in West Point PA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the West Point PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from 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 performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and generally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally 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 vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years to complete. So 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 work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in West Point

student attending online vet tech school in West Point PA An approach that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local West Point PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for example for traveling and study materials, may be cheaper 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 courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask West Point PA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask West Point PA vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the West Point PA area as well as across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of West Point PA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet 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 tip, call some West Point PA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with West Point PA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate may indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the West Point PA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low 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 bigger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the West Point PA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your West Point PA home, you must make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools 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 attend classes on the weekends or at night near West Point 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 offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near West Point PA?

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

West Point, New York

West Point is the oldest continuously occupied military post in the United States. Located on the Hudson River in New York, West Point was identified by General George Washington as the most important strategic position in America during the American Revolution. Until January 1778, West Point was not occupied by the military. On January 27, 1778, Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons and his brigade crossed the ice on the Hudson River and climbed to the plain on West Point to intercept Lt. Major Roldan Kramer and from that day to the present, West Point has been occupied by the United States Army. It comprises approximately 16,000 acres (6,500 ha) including the campus of the United States Military Academy, which is commonly called "West Point".

It is a Census Designated Place (CDP) located in the Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York,[2][3] located on the western bank of the Hudson River. The population was 6,763 at the 2010 census. It is part of the New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ–PA Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the larger New York–Newark, NY–NJ–CT–PA Combined Statistical Area.

West Point (then Fort Clinton), was a fortified site during the Revolutionary War. Originally picked because of the abnormal S-curve in the Hudson River at this point, the defenses of West Point were designed by Polish military engineer Tadeusz Kościuszko, who served as a brigadier general in the Continental Army.

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician School near West Point PA

West Point PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students looking into vet tech schools need to make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in West Point PA.