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How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician Program near Exton Pennsylvania

Exton PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Exton PA might at first feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a school that will furnish the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. When they have located some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when evaluating vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are considering before you make a final choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Exton PA

cat with cone after surgery in Exton PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many tasks that they can carry out within the Exton PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. 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 involved with more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and typically earn a 2 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 general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years to complete. 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 job options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Exton

student attending online vet tech school in Exton PA An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Exton PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Exton PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Exton PA vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Exton PA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among 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 verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Exton PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school 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 interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement 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 department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Exton PA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Exton PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching 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 find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Exton PA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Exton PA schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Exton PA home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the vet colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Exton PA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Exton PA?

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

Exton, Pennsylvania

Exton is a census-designated place (CDP) in West Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. Its population was 4,842 at the 2010 census. The Exton Square Mall and Main Street at Exton are both located within Exton along with several other shopping centers, making Exton the major shopping district in Chester County.

Exton lies at the intersection of U.S. Route 30 (formerly the Lancaster Road, and later the Lincoln Highway) and Pennsylvania Route 100 (Pottstown Pike). Beginning in the late 18th century, the Lancaster Road became a major transportation route between Philadelphia and the west, while what is now Route 100 was a regional north-south route to Pottstown. A theory exists that Exton was named as the "X" on the map, denoting this intersection, though more likely the village was named after one of the several Extons in the United Kingdom.

In the late 1940s, Exton became home to the Newcomen Society of the United States. The campus of the learned society was built overlooking farmland on Newcomen Road, and featured offices, a printing shop, library and museum, guest houses, a chapel and a belltower with a carillon. The Newcomen Society (since dissolved) sold the property in the late 1990s, but its campus remains an Exton landmark serving as the headquarters of another business.

Pick the Ideal Vet Tech School near Exton PA

Exton PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students considering veterinary technician schools must make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online colleges 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 best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Exton PA.