Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Folcroft PA - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near Folcroft Pennsylvania

Folcroft PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Folcroft PA could initially seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the correct choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. After they have located some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different roles of vet techs and the training options available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Folcroft PA

cat with cone after surgery in Folcroft PA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Folcroft PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, 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 techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and generally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved activities, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years to complete. Therefore 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 job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally 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 earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Folcroft PA labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Folcroft

student attending online vet tech school in Folcroft PA An option that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Folcroft PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for travel and study materials, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. 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 practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech program may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Folcroft PA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Folcroft PA vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Folcroft PA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, one of 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 confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Folcroft PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Folcroft PA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Folcroft PA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Folcroft PA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Folcroft PA colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Folcroft PA home, you need to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located close by or within 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 fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Folcroft PA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Folcroft PA?

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

Folcroft, Pennsylvania

The origin of Folcroft can be traced back to the mid 1600s and early settlements of New Sweden. Delmar Drive was once part of Calcon Hook Road. Calcon is the Swedish word for "turkey," and Hook is the Swedish word for "road". The original road was a Leni Lenape trail called "Turkey's Neck Trail" by the settlers, and was no more than 4 feet (1.2 m) wide.

Originally productive farmlands, it became a residential suburb of Philadelphia with the construction of the Pennsylvania Railroad through the area in 1874. A passenger stop was built and named Folcroft, or "leafy fields".

Folcroft is located in southeastern Delaware County at 39°53′36″N 75°16′51″W / 39.89333°N 75.28083°W / 39.89333; -75.28083 (39.893212, -75.280881).[5] It is bordered to the south by Darby Creek and to the west by its tributary, Muckinipattis Creek. To the south across Darby Creek is Tinicum Township. Neighboring boroughs are Norwood to the west, Glenolden to the northwest, Collingdale to the north, and Sharon Hill to the northeast. Darby Township is also to the northeast, and the city of Philadelphia is to the east, across Darby Creek.

Pick the Best Vet Tech School near Folcroft PA

Folcroft PA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal vet tech program is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students looking into vet tech schools need to make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Folcroft PA.