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How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Allentown New Jersey

Allentown NJ vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Allentown NJ may at first seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing colleges 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 located some area schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the various duties of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Allentown NJ

cat with cone after surgery in Allentown NJ Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Allentown NJ veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, 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 execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and generally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main 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 potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Allentown NJ laboratories or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Allentown

student attending online vet tech school in Allentown NJ An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Allentown NJ veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Allentown NJ Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Allentown NJ vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Allentown NJ area and across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Allentown NJ area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the New Jersey school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Allentown NJ veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Allentown NJ veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require 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 relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Allentown NJ veterinarian community and has a significant 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 placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Allentown NJ programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Allentown NJ home, you need to make certain 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the vet programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit 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 Allentown NJ. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You might find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Allentown NJ?

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

Lehigh Valley

The Lehigh Valley (/ˈliːhaɪ/), known officially by the United States Census Bureau and the United States Office of Management and Budget[3] as the Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton, PA–NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area and referred to colloquially as The Valley,[4] is a metropolitan region officially consisting of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties in eastern Pennsylvania and Warren county on the western edge of New Jersey, in the Eastern United States.[5] The Lehigh Valley's largest city, with a population of 120,443, is Allentown.[6]

The region is a part of the larger New York City metropolitan area, but borders the Philadelphia metropolitan area. All of the region, except Warren County, New Jersey, is part of Philadelphia's designated media market.

The Lehigh Valley is the third most populous Metropolitan Statistical Area in the state of Pennsylvania with a population of 821,173 residents as of the 2010 U.S. Census.[2] The region is eclipsed in total population in Pennsylvania only by the metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metropolitan areas.[2] It is the 64th most populated metropolitan area in the United States. Lehigh County, the Valley's largest county in terms of overall population, is among the fastest growing in the state and, as of 2010–2012, ranks in the 79th percentile for population growth nationally. The core population centers are located in southern and central Lehigh and Northampton counties along U.S. Route 22 and Interstate 78. The Lehigh Valley is proximate to two of the nation's largest cities: New York City, which is about 75 miles to its east, and Philadelphia, which is 50 miles to its southeast.

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Allentown NJ

Allentown NJ vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students looking into veterinary technician schools must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs 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 decision. And by picking the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Allentown NJ.