Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Hollidaysburg PA

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech Program near Hollidaysburg Pennsylvania

Hollidaysburg PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Hollidaysburg PA may initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the proper choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. Once they have located some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant concerns when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Hollidaysburg PA

cat with cone after surgery in Hollidaysburg PA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the Hollidaysburg PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and normally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably 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 stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated duties, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist 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 mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Hollidaysburg PA laboratories or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Hollidaysburg

student attending online vet tech school in Hollidaysburg PA An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Hollidaysburg PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for example for commuting and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Hollidaysburg PA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Hollidaysburg PA vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Hollidaysburg PA area and across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, 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 demanding review process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Hollidaysburg PA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Hollidaysburg 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 might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Hollidaysburg PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate might mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Hollidaysburg PA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Hollidaysburg PA schools you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Hollidaysburg PA home, you have to make sure that the commuting 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, particularly if the school is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Hollidaysburg PA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Hollidaysburg PA?

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

Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania

Hollidaysburg is a borough and the county seat of Blair County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is located on the Juniata River, 5 miles (8 km) south of Altoona and is part of the Altoona, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 1900, 2,998 people lived in the borough, in 1910, 3,734 lived there, and in 1940, 5,910 residents were counted. The population was 5,791 at the 2010 census. Coal, iron ore, ganister, and limestone are found in the vicinity. In the past, the borough had foundries and machine shops, a silk mill, car works and classification yards.

The famous toy known as the Slinky is manufactured within Hollidaysburg by Poof-Slinky, Inc. (formerly James Industries, Inc.). More than a quarter billion Slinkys have been manufactured in the toy's history.[4]

The center of Hollidaysburg is frequently referred to as "The Diamond," where the buildings and parking spaces form a diamond. This area serves as the hub for parades, festivals and other town celebrations.

Choose the Best Vet Tech School near Hollidaysburg PA

Hollidaysburg PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students looking into veterinary technician schools must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Hollidaysburg PA.