Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools East Freedom PA

How to Select a Vet Tech School near East Freedom Pennsylvania

East Freedom PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near East Freedom PA could initially seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach analyzing and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. When they have found some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when evaluating vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are considering before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in East Freedom PA

cat with cone after surgery in East Freedom PA Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the East Freedom PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside 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 specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational 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. Generally they are not associated with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training in contrast to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved functions, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist 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 also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in East Freedom PA labs or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in East Freedom

student attending online vet tech school in East Freedom PA An option 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. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local East Freedom PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for example for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. 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 classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask East Freedom PA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask East Freedom PA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the East Freedom PA area and across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of East Freedom PA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some East Freedom PA vet clinics that you may wish 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 programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with East Freedom PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the East Freedom PA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well regarded 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 East Freedom PA colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your East Freedom PA home, you have to confirm 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near East Freedom PA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near East Freedom PA?

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

Pennsylvania Route 851

Pennsylvania Route 851 (PA 851) is a 32.6-mile-long (52.5 km) state highway located in York County, Pennsylvania. The western terminus is at PA 516 in the Codorus Township community of Sticks. The eastern terminus is at PA 74 in Peach Bottom Township. PA 851 is a two-lane undivided road that runs through rural areas in southern York County a short distance to the north of the Maryland border. The route heads east from Sticks to New Freedom, where it turns north and intersects PA 616 in Railroad. PA 851 heads east through Shrewsbury and comes to an interchange with Interstate 83 (I-83). From here, the route heads east and passes through Stewartstown, where it forms a short concurrency with PA 24, and Fawn Grove, where it intersects PA 425, before continuing to its terminus. PA 851 has a truck route, PA 851 Truck, which bypasses the stretch between New Freedom and Shrewsbury.

PA 851 was designated in 1928 to run from Woodbine north to PA 74 in Airville. In 1937, PA 851 was realigned to run from U.S. Route 111 (US 111) at Main Street in Shrewsbury east to PA 74 north of Delta, with the former alignment between Woodbine and Airville becoming an extension of PA 124 (now PA 425). The same year, the road between Sticks and New Freedom became an extended PA 516 while the road between New Freedom and Railroad became an extended PA 616. PA 516 was extended east to I-83/US 111 east of Shrewsbury in the 1950s, replacing PA 616 between New Freedom and Railroad and cutting the west end of PA 851 back to the interchange. PA 851 was extended west to PA 516 in Sticks in the 1960s, replacing the part of PA 516 between Sticks and I-83. A roundabout was constructed at PA 74 in 2008.

PA 851 begins at an intersection with PA 516 just south of PA 216 in the community of Sticks in Codorus Township, York County, heading southeast on Steltz Road. The road winds southeast through farmland with some woods and homes, eventually bending to the south. The route turns east to remain along Steltz Road and runs a short distance to the north of the Maryland border, passing through the community of Steitz and crossing into Shrewsbury Township. PA 851 turns northeast away from the state line and continues through a mix of farm fields and woodland with occasional residences. The road curves east and then southeast before it makes a sharp turn to the northeast. The route becomes the border between Shrewsbury Township to the west and the borough of New Freedom to the east, passing between farmland to the west and residential neighborhoods to the east. PA 851 curves east to fully enter New Freedom and turns southeast onto West Main Street, passing a mix of homes and businesses. The route turns northeast onto North 2nd Street, with PA 851 Truck continuing east along West Main Street, and continues through residential areas. The road curves north into wooded areas and runs to the west of Old Mill Creek, the Steam into History tourist railroad, and the York County Heritage Rail Trail. PA 851 crosses into the borough of Railroad and becomes South Main Street, quickly turning west and then north as it runs through a mix of woods and residences. The route comes to an intersection with the southern terminus of PA 616, at which point it turns east onto East Main Street and crosses the South Branch Codorus Creek and both the Steam into History line and the York County Heritage Rail Trail. The road continues through wooded areas with some homes before leaving Railroad for Shrewsbury Township and turning northeast through farm fields.[2][3]

Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technician School near East Freedom PA

East Freedom PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician school is an important first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Students thinking about vet tech schools must make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in East Freedom PA.