Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Camden NJ - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Camden New Jersey

Camden NJ vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Camden NJ could initially seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. After they have located some local colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important factors when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the varied roles of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Camden NJ

cat with cone after surgery in Camden NJ Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous tasks that they can carry out within the Camden NJ veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Camden

student attending online vet tech school in Camden NJ 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. Because the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Camden NJ veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make certain 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 practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Camden NJ Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Camden NJ vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Camden NJ area as well as across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded 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 get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a precondition for employment for many Camden NJ area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in 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 organizations as well. You can ask the New Jersey school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Camden NJ vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some schools 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 schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with Camden NJ veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate could suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Camden NJ veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Camden NJ schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Camden NJ home, you need to confirm 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, particularly if the college is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Camden NJ. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Camden NJ?

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

Camden, New Jersey

Camden is a city and the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey, United States. Camden is located directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 77,344.[10][12][13] Camden is the 12th most populous municipality in New Jersey. The city was incorporated on February 13, 1828.[22] Camden has been the county seat of Camden County[23] since the county was formed on March 13, 1844.[22] The city derives its name from Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden.[24][25] Camden is made up of over twenty different neighborhoods.[26][27][28][29]

Beginning in the early 1900s, Camden was a consistently prosperous industrial city, and remained so throughout the Great Depression and World War II. During the 1950s, Camden manufacturers began gradually closing their factories and moving out of the city. With the loss of manufacturing jobs came a sharp decline in population numbers. Suburbanization also influenced the drop in population. Civil unrest and crime became common in Camden. In 1971, civil unrest reached its peak with riots breaking out in response to the death of Horacio Jimenez, a Puerto Rican motorist who was killed by two white police officers.[30]

The Camden waterfront holds four tourist attractions, the USS New Jersey; the BB&T Pavilion; Campbell's Field; and the Adventure Aquarium.[31] Campbell's Field had been home to the minor league baseball team, the Camden Riversharks but is currently scheduled to be torn down. The city is the home of Rutgers University–Camden, which was founded as the South Jersey Law School in 1926,[32] and Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, which opened in 2012. Camden also houses both Cooper University Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center. The "eds and meds" institutions account for roughly 45% of Camden's total employment.[33]

Select the Right Veterinary Technician School near Camden NJ

Camden NJ vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician school is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about vet tech schools need to make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Camden NJ.