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How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near Flourtown Pennsylvania

Flourtown PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Flourtown PA could initially feel like a challenging endeavor. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. After they have identified some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when assessing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the various duties of vet techs and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Flourtown PA

cat with cone after surgery in Flourtown PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Flourtown PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed 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 vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and generally acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Flourtown

student attending online vet tech school in Flourtown PA An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Flourtown PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for travel and study materials, can be lower 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 organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Flourtown PA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Flourtown PA vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Flourtown PA area and across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Flourtown PA area veterinarian clinics 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 vet 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 tips include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Flourtown PA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Flourtown PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate might suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Flourtown PA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Flourtown PA programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Flourtown PA home, you have to confirm that the commuting 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, particularly if the campus is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in 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. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible 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 Flourtown PA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family issues. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Flourtown PA?

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

Flourtown, Pennsylvania

Flourtown is a census-designated place (CDP) in Springfield Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States, with a ZIP code of 19031. Flourtown is adjacent to the neighborhoods of Erdenheim, Oreland, Whitemarsh, and Chestnut Hill. The population of Flourtown was 4,538 at the 2010 census.

As of the 2010 census, the CDP was 89.3% White, 5.3% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 0.4% were Some Other Race, and 1.5% were two or more races. 1.8% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[4]

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 4,669 people, 1,746 households, and 1,292 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,305.0 people per square mile (1,278.5/km2). There were 1,772 housing units at an average density of 1,254.3/sq mi (485.2/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.72% White, 3.30% African American, 1.84% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population. 24.2% were of Irish, 14.2% Italian, 12.7% German and 11.5% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

Select the Best Vet Tech Program near Flourtown PA

Flourtown PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech college is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students thinking about vet tech programs must make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Flourtown PA.