Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Collingswood NJ

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Collingswood New Jersey

Collingswood NJ vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Collingswood NJ may at first seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the right choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their homes. After they have identified some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant considerations when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Collingswood NJ

cat with cone after surgery in Collingswood NJ Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main determiner will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Collingswood NJ veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to assistants and generally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Collingswood

student attending online vet tech school in Collingswood NJ An option that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Collingswood NJ veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for instance for travel and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Collingswood NJ Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Collingswood NJ vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Collingswood NJ area as well as across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want 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 considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for a number of Collingswood NJ area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions 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 grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Collingswood NJ vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Collingswood NJ veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of 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 may mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Collingswood NJ veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Collingswood NJ schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Collingswood NJ home, you need to make sure that the driving 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 campus is located close by or within 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 increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Collingswood 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 prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Collingswood NJ?

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

Collingswood, New Jersey

Collingswood is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States, located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Center City, Philadelphia.[20] As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 13,926,[9][10][11] reflecting a decline of 400 (-2.8%) from the 14,326 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 963 (-6.3%) from the 15,289 counted in the 1990 Census.[21]

Owing in part to its Quaker history, Collingswood was founded as a dry town where alcohol cannot be sold, however restaurant patrons are permitted to bring their own wine and beer to consume.[22][23] In July 2015, the town introduced an ordinance that will allow craft breweries to operate in the town but not serve food. The ordinance is expected to be passed in August 2015.[24] Under the terms of a limited license, Devil's Creek Brewery opened a tasting room in May 2016 where beers made by the microbrewery are available for sale to the public.[25] A state ordinance also allows select restaurants to serve wine produced by New Jersey vineyards.

The land in what is present day Collingswood was originally inhabited by Lenni Lenape Native Americans. Quakers from England and Ireland settled along Newton Creek and Cooper River in the late 17th Century, establishing what was known as the Newton Colony and eventually Newton Township. Much of what is now Collingswood was a farm owned by members of the Collings family during the 18th and 19th Centuries. Later a section of Haddon Township, Collingswood was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 22, 1888, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.[26] That same year, town resident Edward Collings Knight, a wealthy dentist, donated the land that became Knight Park. Knight was a descendant of the Collings family for whom the borough is named.[27][28][29]

Select the Best Veterinary Technician School near Collingswood NJ

Collingswood NJ vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician school is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician schools must make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges 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 choice. And by picking the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Collingswood NJ.