Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Gwynedd Valley PA

How to Pick a Vet Tech Program near Gwynedd Valley Pennsylvania

Gwynedd Valley PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Gwynedd Valley PA could at first feel like a challenging task. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the right choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their residences. Once they have found some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important considerations when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors 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 veterinary technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Gwynedd Valley PA

cat with cone after surgery in Gwynedd Valley PA One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs 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 numerous duties that they can perform within the Gwynedd Valley PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern 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 techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and usually obtain 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 vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 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 career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Gwynedd Valley

student attending online vet tech school in Gwynedd Valley PA An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic 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 via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Gwynedd Valley PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for travel and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Gwynedd Valley PA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Gwynedd Valley PA vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Gwynedd Valley PA area and across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected 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 superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Gwynedd Valley PA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Gwynedd Valley PA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Gwynedd Valley PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinarian 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 program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate could signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Gwynedd Valley PA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Gwynedd Valley PA colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Gwynedd Valley PA home, you must make sure 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located near or in a larger city. In addition, 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 fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Gwynedd Valley PA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Gwynedd Valley PA?

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

Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Mercy University is a Catholic university in Lower Gwynedd Township, Pennsylvania. It occupies a 25 miles (40 km) campus in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In addition to the Gwynedd Valley campus, Gwynedd Mercy also has locations in Philadelphia and Bensalem, Pennsylvania.[1]

Gwynedd Mercy University was founded in 1948, as Gwynedd-Mercy College, by the Sisters of Mercy as a junior college. In 1963 the college was rechartered as a baccalaureate institution. The school later renamed itself Gwynedd Mercy University.[2] GMercyU offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing, education, business, and the arts & sciences.

Dating to the early 1900s the grounds were originally owned by Frances Bond, an investment banker, and were known as Willowbrook Farm. The farm hosted a large Gregorian mansion, formal gardens and outbuildings that were designed by renowned Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer, the acclaimed architect of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.[3] The mansion which the Bonds lived in and is now over one-hundred years old, is still in use by the University today as Assumption Hall.

Pick the Best Vet Tech College near Gwynedd Valley PA

Gwynedd Valley PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet tech schools need to make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important 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 programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Gwynedd Valley PA.