Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Fishertown PA

How to Find the Right Vet Tech Program near Fishertown Pennsylvania

Fishertown PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Fishertown PA may at first feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a school that will furnish the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. After they have identified some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at 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 discuss the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Fishertown PA

cat with cone after surgery in Fishertown PA One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main factor 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 guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Fishertown PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental 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 duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years. So the only real distinction 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 additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Fishertown

student attending online vet tech school in Fishertown PA An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Fishertown PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for example for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Fishertown PA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Fishertown PA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Fishertown PA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary 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 program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Fishertown PA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Fishertown PA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Fishertown PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Fishertown PA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Fishertown PA schools you are considering what their class 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 evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Fishertown PA home, you have to confirm that the driving 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, especially if the college is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Fishertown PA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Fishertown PA?

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

Chestnut Ridge School District

The Chestnut Ridge School District covers the Boroughs of New Paris, Pleasantville, St. Clairsville and Schellsburg and East St. Clair Township, Juniata Township, King Township, Lincoln Township, Napier Township, Pavia Township and West St. Clair Township in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses approximately 225 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 10,727. By 2010, the district's population declined to 10,677 people.[7] The educational attainment levels for the Chestnut Ridge School District population (25 years old and over) were 89.1% high school graduates and 10.5% college graduates.[8] The district is one of the 500 public school districts of Pennsylvania.

According to the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, 44.7% of the Chestnut Ridge School District’s pupils lived at 185% or below the Federal Poverty Level[9] as shown by their eligibility for the federal free or reduced price school meal programs in 2012.[10] In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $15,142, while the median family income was $36,724.[11] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[12] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[13] In Bedford County, the median household income was $43,290.[14] By 2013, the median household income in the United States rose to $52,100.[15] In 2014, the median household income in the USA was $53,700.[16]

According to district officials, in school year 2009–10 the Chestnut Ridge School District provided basic educational services to 1,592 pupils through the employment of 129 teachers, 86 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 10 administrators. Chestnut Ridge School District received more than $12 million in state funding in school year 2009-10. In school year 2005–06, Chestnut Ridge School District enrollment was 1,779 pupils. Chestnut Ridge School District employed: 122 teachers, 78 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 10 administrators. Chestnut Ridge School District received more than $10 million in state funding in school year 2005–06.[17]

Select the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Fishertown PA

Fishertown PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal vet tech college is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering vet tech programs need to make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Fishertown PA.