Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Hannastown PA

How to Select a Vet Tech Program near Hannastown Pennsylvania

Hannastown PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Hannastown PA might initially seem like a challenging task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. When they have located some local colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when evaluating vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Hannastown PA

cat with cone after surgery in Hannastown PA Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the Hannastown PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured 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 vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Hannastown PA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Hannastown

student attending online vet tech school in Hannastown PA An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Hannastown PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Hannastown PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Hannastown PA vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Hannastown PA area and across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Hannastown PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. 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 online 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 grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Hannastown PA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Hannastown PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require 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 build connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Hannastown PA vet community and has a substantial 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 assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Hannastown PA schools you are considering what their class 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. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Hannastown PA home, you have to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate 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 large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Hannastown PA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Hannastown PA?

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

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Westmoreland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. At the 2010 census, the population was 365,169.[1] The county seat is Greensburg.[2] Formed from, successively, Lancaster, Northumberland, and later Bedford Counties, Westmoreland County was founded on February 26, 1773, and was the first county in the colony of Pennsylvania whose entire territorial boundary was located west of the Allegheny Mountains. Westmoreland County originally included the present-day counties of Fayette, Washington, Greene, and parts of Beaver, Allegheny, Indiana, and Armstrong counties. It is named after Westmorland, a historic county of England.

At the 2010 census,[9] there were 365,169 people, 153,650 households and 101,928 families residing in the county. The population density was 355.4 per square mile (137.2/km²). There were 168,199 housing units at an average density of 163.7 per square mile (63.2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.3% White, 2.3% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. 0.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 153,650 households of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.86.

Select the Best Vet Tech College near Hannastown PA

Hannastown PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the right vet tech college is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about vet tech schools need to make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Hannastown PA.