Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools White Haven PA

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near White Haven Pennsylvania

White Haven PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near White Haven PA might initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach analyzing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the correct choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. Once they have located some area schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important factors when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are considering before you make a final choice. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in White Haven PA

cat with cone after surgery in White Haven PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the White Haven PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and generally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in White Haven PA labs or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in White Haven

student attending online vet tech school in White Haven PA An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local White Haven PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, such as for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask White Haven PA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask White Haven PA vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the White Haven PA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many White Haven PA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some White Haven PA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with White Haven PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the White Haven PA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the White Haven PA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students regarding 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 School Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your White Haven PA home, you need to make sure that the commuting 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 close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near White Haven PA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near White Haven PA?

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

White Haven, Pennsylvania

Early European explorers to the Wyoming Valley encountered a new form of coal — anthracite — that was abundant throughout the region. At the time, anthracite was a valuable commodity without a good use. It wasn’t until February 11, 1808, when Wilkes-Barre Judge Jesse Fell created the first iron grate in the valley to successfully burn anthracite. This invention increased the popularity of anthracite as a fuel source. This led to the expansion of the coal industry in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Throughout the 1800s, canals and railroads were constructed to aid in the mining and transportation of coal. The County of Luzerne witnessed a population boom with the expansion of the coal mining industry.

The Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company chartered the Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad on March 31, 1837, in order to link Wilkes-Barre to White Haven.[4] Construction of the railroad began in 1839 and was completed in the 1840s.[5] The arduous 19.58-mile (31.51 km) route required the construction of a tunnel and three inclined planes, which included the famed Ashley Planes.[6]

With the completion of the Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad, the canal industry, which had existed for no more than one generation, faced a rapid extinction. The Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad moved Wyoming Valley anthracite from its various coal fields to White Haven; over the Appalachian Mountains that had posed such a challenge to settlers for 150 years. Once the L&SR reached White Haven, an extensive transportation network expeditiously and economically delivered the Wyoming Valley’s “black diamonds” to a waiting market. By 1867, the Lehigh Valley Railroad, which was first established in the Hazleton area’s coal fields, was linked to Wilkes-Barre, and then in 1869, the Lehigh Valley Railroad was connected to other rail systems in New York State.

Pick the Ideal Vet Tech College near White Haven PA

White Haven PA vet tech holding dog Picking the right vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician colleges must make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the right school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in White Haven PA.