Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Immaculata PA

How to Pick a Vet Tech Program near Immaculata Pennsylvania

Immaculata PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Immaculata PA could initially feel like a daunting task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. After they have identified some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when comparing vet technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Immaculata PA

cat with cone after surgery in Immaculata PA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can carry out within the Immaculata PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced 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 licensing, registration or certification.

Vet technicians and technologists can 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 Immaculata PA laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Immaculata

student attending online vet tech school in Immaculata PA An approach that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Immaculata PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for travel and study materials, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Immaculata PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Immaculata PA vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Immaculata PA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help 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 touched on other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Immaculata PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on 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 complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Immaculata PA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Immaculata PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Immaculata PA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Immaculata PA schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Immaculata PA home, you need to make certain that the driving 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, especially if the school is located close by or within 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 increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Immaculata PA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Immaculata PA?

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

Immaculata University

Immaculata University is a private, co-educational, Roman Catholic university founded by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and located in Malvern, Pennsylvania.[3] The university is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church through the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The university is composed of 1,427 traditional undergraduate and adult undergraduate students, and more than 1,000 graduate and doctoral students. The university is located on more than 300 acres (120 ha).[4]

Founded by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Immaculata is part of the greater IHM community, which includes the neighboring House of Studies and an academy for girls (now split into two campuses, Lower School and High School). The University became co-educational in the fall of 2005.

Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technician College near Immaculata PA

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