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How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Bedford Pennsylvania

Bedford PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Bedford PA could at first feel like a challenging task. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. Once they have found some local colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when evaluating vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are considering before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Bedford PA

cat with cone after surgery in Bedford PA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many tasks that they can carry out within the Bedford PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and usually obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. So the main 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 potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Bedford PA labs or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Bedford

student attending online vet tech school in Bedford PA An option that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Bedford PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for traveling and study materials, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Bedford PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Bedford PA vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Bedford PA area and across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many Bedford PA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Bedford PA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Bedford PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Bedford PA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean 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 bigger, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Bedford PA programs you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors 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 several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Bedford PA home, you must make sure 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 close by a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate 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 Bedford PA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Bedford PA?

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

Bedford, Pennsylvania

Bedford is a borough in and the county seat of Bedford County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.[4] It is located 102 miles (164 km) west of Harrisburg, the state capital, and 107 miles (172 km) east of Pittsburgh. Bedford's population was 2,841 at the 2010 census.[5]

Growing up around Fort Bedford, which had been constructed near the trading post called Raystown, Bedford was settled about 1751 and laid out in 1766. Bedford was incorporated on March 13, 1795.[6] For many years it was an important frontier military post. The Espy House in Bedford is notable for having been the headquarters of George Washington and his force of 13,000 while putting down the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794, which had started around the Jean Bonnet Tavern just west of Bedford.

In 1758 the British Army came to the vicinity of John Ray's trading post to set up Fort Bedford, named for the politically powerful Duke of Bedford in England. Some believe this is how the town later got its name. Fort Bedford was built as one of the many British Army stepping stones through the state leading to the forks of the Ohio River; the other side of the forks was dominated by Indians. The British used the fort to drive out the French to ensure the new continent would be British controlled. The fort was later a safe house for settlers escaping Indian raids. Fort Bedford was "liberated" ten years before the Revolution by American rebels, James Smith's Black Boys, and was the first fort taken from the British. The fort later collapsed; it was reconstructed in 1958.

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Bedford PA

Bedford PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about vet tech programs need to make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as 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 field. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Bedford PA.