Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Jersey Shore PA

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Jersey Shore Pennsylvania

Jersey Shore PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Jersey Shore PA could at first seem like a challenging task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. Once they have identified some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Jersey Shore PA

cat with cone after surgery in Jersey Shore PA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Jersey Shore PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from 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 execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Jersey Shore PA labs or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Jersey Shore

student attending online vet tech school in Jersey Shore PA An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Jersey Shore PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for traveling and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Jersey Shore PA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Jersey Shore PA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Jersey Shore PA area as well as across the United States, you must ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for many Jersey Shore PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Jersey Shore PA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Jersey Shore PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Jersey Shore PA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might 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 larger in size, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Jersey Shore PA schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Jersey Shore 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the vet colleges 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 in the evenings near Jersey Shore PA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Jersey Shore PA?

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

Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania

Jersey Shore is a borough in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is on the West Branch Susquehanna River, 15 miles (24 km) west by south of Williamsport. It is part of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. In the past, Jersey Shore held farms, railroad shops, cigar factories, a foundry, and a large silk mill. The population was 4,361 at the 2010 census. The community is actually over 100 miles from New Jersey.

Jersey Shore was incorporated as a borough on March 15, 1826. The history of Jersey Shore begins about 50 years before it was incorporated and on the opposite bank of the West Branch Susquehanna River in what is now Nippenose Township. Colonel John Henry Antes arrived in 1772 and established a homestead along the banks of Antes Creek. Antes also built a gristmill and his fortified home, Fort Antes, provided a safe haven for the early settlers against raids conducted by Loyalist and Indian forces during the American Revolution. Settlers who had sought refuge at Fort Antes and had returned to the right bank of the West Branch to milk their cows were among the first killed when Fort Antes was attacked just prior to the Big Runaway. These pioneers on the north side of the river were counted among the Fair Play Men, a group of squatters who lived outside the jurisdiction of the colonial and revolutionary governments of Pennsylvania. Many of the settlers did not return to the area until after Sullivan's Expedition had forced the Lenape and other Indians allied with the British further west.[5]

Jersey Shore was originally named Waynesburg by the two brothers, Reuben and Jeremiah Manning, who laid out the town circa 1785.[5] Around the time that this was happening, a settlement arose on the eastern side of the West Branch Susquehanna River (Nippenose Township), opposite Waynesburg. A rivalry developed between the two settlements, and those on the eastern shore began referring to the settlement on the western shore as the "Jersey Shore," because the Manning family had relocated from New Jersey. The nickname became so fixed that in 1826 the original name of Waynesburg was officially abandoned and changed to Jersey Shore.[6]

Enroll in the Best Vet Tech Program near Jersey Shore PA

Jersey Shore PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech college is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician colleges must make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you pick 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 narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Jersey Shore PA.