Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Jenkintown PA

How to Choose a Vet Tech Program near Jenkintown Pennsylvania

Jenkintown PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Jenkintown PA may at first seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you must search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. When they have found some local colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important factors when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are considering before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Jenkintown PA

cat with cone after surgery in Jenkintown PA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many duties that they can perform within the Jenkintown PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and usually obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career 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. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Jenkintown PA laboratories or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Jenkintown

student attending online vet tech school in Jenkintown PA An option that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Jenkintown PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for commuting and study materials, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure 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 clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Jenkintown PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Jenkintown PA vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Jenkintown PA area and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Jenkintown PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Jenkintown PA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Jenkintown PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical 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 build relationships in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate might signify 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 schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Jenkintown PA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify 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 larger sized, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Jenkintown PA colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Jenkintown PA home, you must confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, 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 in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you find out if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Jenkintown PA. Others 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. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Jenkintown PA?

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

Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

Jenkintown is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, about 10 miles (16 km) north of Center City Philadelphia. "Jenkintown" is also used to describe a number of neighborhoods surrounding the borough, which also are known by names such as Meadowbrook, Rydal, Crosswicks, Fox Chase Manor, Jenkintown Manor, Noble, and Switchville. While the post office will deliver "Jenkintown"-addressed mail to these areas, they are not part of the political entity of Jenkintown; they are within Abington Township. Jenkintown is surrounded by Abington Township to the north, west, and east, and borders Cheltenham Township to the south.

The Borough of Jenkintown is located just outside Philadelphia along the Route 611 corridor between Abington and Cheltenham Townships. The Borough was settled in about 1697 and incorporated on December 8, 1874 when approximately 248 acres (1.00 km2) was taken from Abington Township. Today, the Borough is approximately 0.58 square miles and is home to 4,500 residents.

The Borough is a mostly residential community that is separated into East and West by the Business District that runs along and surrounds Old York Road (Route 611) corridor. On the east side of Old York Road, residential development is predominantly characterized by larger detached single-family homes on lots larger than the Borough average. On the southeast side of York Road, there is a small mixed concentration of row homes, duplexes, and single-family residences. The majority of the residential development, however, is located to the west of York Road. This area consists of a traditional small town mix of detached single-family homes, duplexes, and row homes. Located throughout this area are several multi-family apartment buildings that are residential rental properties. At the center of this residential area are the Jenkintown Elementary School and the Jenkintown High School.

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician College near Jenkintown PA

Jenkintown PA vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate vet tech college is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students considering vet tech colleges need to make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important 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 assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Jenkintown PA.