Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Blairs Mills PA

How to Find the Right Vet Tech Program near Blairs Mills Pennsylvania

Blairs Mills 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 Blairs Mills PA may at first feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a school that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the proper selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. After they have found some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the different roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Blairs Mills PA

cat with cone after surgery in Blairs Mills PA One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish 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 invest in your training, but the main factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many tasks that they can carry out within the Blairs Mills PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern 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 completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and normally acquire 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 vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 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 work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Blairs Mills PA labs or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Blairs Mills

student attending online vet tech school in Blairs Mills PA An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Blairs Mills PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Blairs Mills PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Blairs Mills PA vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinary degree 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, trade and vocational schools in the Blairs Mills PA area and across the United States, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you confirm 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). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Blairs Mills PA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Blairs Mills PA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest 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 clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Blairs Mills PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Blairs Mills PA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not well 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 sized, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Blairs Mills PA schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Blairs Mills PA home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Blairs Mills PA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family issues. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Blairs Mills PA?

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

Pennsylvania Route 75

Pennsylvania Route 75 (PA 75) is a 71.2-mile-long (114.6 km) north–south state highway located in central Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at the Mason–Dixon line in Montgomery Township, where the road continues into Maryland as Maryland Route 494 (MD 494). The northern terminus is at an interchange with U.S. Route 22 (US 22) and US 322 northeast of Port Royal. PA 75 is a two-lane undivided road that passes through the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians in Franklin and Juniata counties. The route heads north from the Maryland border in Franklin County to Mercersburg, where it runs concurrent with PA 16 and PA 416. From Mercersburg, PA 75 heads north and crosses US 30 in Fort Loudon before it runs northeast through a long valley, where it has an interchange with the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76 or I-76) in Willow Hill. The route turns north and heads into Juniata County, where it continues through another valley. PA 75 passes through Port Royal and crosses the Juniata River before it comes to its terminus at US 22/US 322.

PA 75 was designated in 1928 to run from US 30 in Fort Loudon north to US 22 (William Penn Highway) northeast of Port Royal. In 1937, PA 75 was extended south from Fort Loudon to the Maryland border. The route was realigned to bypass Blairs Mills on a shorter alignment to the east in the 1930s. In the 1970s, PA 75 was extended north to the new US 22/US 322 freeway on a road that was widened into a divided highway by 1990.

PA 75 begins at the Maryland border in Montgomery Township, Franklin County, where the road continues south into that state as MD 494. From the state line, the route heads north on two-lane undivided Fort Loudon Road through open agricultural areas with occasional homes. The road passes through Kasiesville before coming to Claylick and intersecting PA 995. PA 75 runs through more farmland with some woods and residences, passing through Shimpstown. The road heads through more open agricultural areas prior to entering Mercersburg, where it passes homes. PA 75 comes to an intersection with PA 16/PA 416, where it turns northwest to form a concurrency with the two routes on Buchanan Trail West. The three routes turn north onto Main Street and passes homes and businesses in the center of Mercersburg. In the northern part of town, PA 16 heads to the northwest with PA 75 and PA 416 continuing northeast on Fort Loudon Road. The road passes a few residential and commercial areas before crossing into Peters Township and heading into agricultural surroundings. PA 416 splits from PA 75 by continuing northeast on Mercersburg Road. At this point, the route runs through more open farmland with some residences, passing through Dickey. The road turns northwest to run a short distance east of the West Branch Conococheague Creek before coming to an intersection with US 30 near Fort Loudon.[2][3]

Select the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Blairs Mills PA

Blairs Mills PA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about veterinary technician schools need to make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Blairs Mills PA.