Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Conshohocken PA

How to Find the Right Vet Tech Program near Conshohocken Pennsylvania

Conshohocken PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Conshohocken PA could initially feel like a daunting task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a school that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. When they have found some local schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are considering before you make an ultimate selection. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Conshohocken PA

cat with cone after surgery in Conshohocken PA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the Conshohocken PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a formal 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 vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four 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, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Conshohocken

student attending online vet tech school in Conshohocken PA An option that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Conshohocken PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for commuting and study materials, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Conshohocken PA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Conshohocken PA vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Conshohocken PA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Conshohocken PA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Conshohocken PA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Conshohocken PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate might mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Conshohocken PA vet community and has a significant 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 Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Conshohocken PA schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Conshohocken PA home, you have to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might 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 determine if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Conshohocken PA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later 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 might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Conshohocken PA?

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

Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

Conshohocken (/ˌkɒnʃəˈhɒkən/ kon-shə-HOK-ən; Lenape: Kanshihakink)[3] is a borough on the Schuylkill River in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in suburban Philadelphia. Historically a large mill town and industrial and manufacturing center, after the decline of industry in recent years Conshohocken has developed into a center of riverfront commercial and residential development.[4] In the regional slang, it is sometimes referred to by the colloquial nickname Conshy (/ˈkɒnʃi/ KON-shee).[5] The name "Conshohocken" comes from the Unami language, from either Kanshi'hak'ing, meaning "Elegant-ground- place",[6] or, more likely, Chottschinschu'hak'ing, which means "Big-trough-ground-place" or "Large-bowl-ground-place", referring to the big bend in the Tulpe'hanna (Turtle River, or modern Schuylkill River).[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2), of which, 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (2.97%) is water.

Conshohocken fronts the Schuylkill River. A rather sharp bend in the river at Conshohocken gives the Schuylkill Expressway, which hugs the far bank, a curve that is well known to regional radio listeners as the Conshohocken curve (it is a staple of traffic reports). Railroad tracks line both river banks, reflecting the valley's heavy industrial past as well as its continuing rail activity including CSX and SEPTA. A rail trail portion of the Schuylkill River Trail also passes through.

Select the Best Vet Tech Program near Conshohocken PA

Conshohocken PA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech program is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students considering vet tech programs must make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you decide on 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 provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Conshohocken PA.