Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Blue Ridge Summit PA

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Blue Ridge Summit Pennsylvania

Blue Ridge Summit PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Blue Ridge Summit PA may at first seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the best choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. Once they have identified some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when assessing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech programs you are considering before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Blue Ridge Summit PA

cat with cone after surgery in Blue Ridge Summit PA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Blue Ridge Summit PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job 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 may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Blue Ridge Summit PA laboratories or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Blue Ridge Summit

student attending online vet tech school in Blue Ridge Summit PA An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Blue Ridge Summit PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for traveling and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Blue Ridge Summit PA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Blue Ridge Summit PA vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Blue Ridge Summit PA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review 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 obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Blue Ridge Summit PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Blue Ridge Summit PA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with Blue Ridge Summit PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate might indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Blue Ridge Summit PA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Blue Ridge Summit PA programs you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Blue Ridge Summit PA home, you have to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Blue Ridge Summit PA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Blue Ridge Summit PA?

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

Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania

Blue Ridge Summit is an unincorporated community and census-designated place[2] in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States, southwest of Gettysburg in the central part of the state, adjoining Pennsylvania's southern border with Maryland.[1] It is less than 3 miles (5 km) east of Pen Mar, Maryland.[3] The population of Blue Ridge Summit was 891 at the 2010 census.[4]

The community was the birthplace of Wallis Simpson, the wife of Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (previously King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom).[5][6] It is also home to one of the 15 oldest golf courses in the United States. Built before 1885, the Monterey Country Club has served as a summer retreat for many Washingtonians, and American presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge and Dwight D. Eisenhower all played the Monterey Country Club course.

Blue Ridge Summit is located in the southeast corner of Franklin County at the height of land on South Mountain, the northern extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. It is bordered to the east by Adams County, Pennsylvania, and to the south by Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland. Directly to the south are the communities of Highfield and Cascade in Maryland.

Select the Right Vet Tech College near Blue Ridge Summit PA

Blue Ridge Summit PA vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate veterinary technician college is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students considering vet tech colleges must make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online schools 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 decision. And by choosing the ideal college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Blue Ridge Summit PA.