Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Landisville PA

How to Select a Veterinary Technician Program near Landisville Pennsylvania

Landisville PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Landisville PA may initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. After they have identified some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important considerations when assessing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Landisville PA

cat with cone after surgery in Landisville PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many duties that they can carry out within the Landisville PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a structured 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 trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. 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 job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Landisville PA labs or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Landisville

student attending online vet tech school in Landisville PA An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Landisville PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for commuting and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make 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 clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Landisville PA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Landisville PA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Landisville PA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, 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 thorough review process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Landisville PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and checking 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 pointer, contact some Landisville PA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs established with Landisville PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Landisville PA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement 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. Find out from the Landisville PA schools you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Landisville PA home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Landisville PA. Others might only be able to attend 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 work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Landisville PA?

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

Salunga-Landisville, Pennsylvania

Salunga-Landisville consists of two census-designated places (CDPs) in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States with a zip code of 17538. As of the 2010 United States Census the population of Salunga CDP was 2,695 people and the population of Landisville CDP was 1,893 people for a combined total of 4,588, a decrease of about 3.8% from the 2000 United States Census which recorded 4,771 in the Salunga-Landisville CDP. The name "Salunga" comes from the nearby Chiquesalunga (now Chickies) Creek,[1] which in turn is derived from the Lenape "Chiquesalunga", meaning "place of the crayfish".[2] Landisville is named for John Landis, the first postmaster there.[1]

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 4,771 people, 1,763 households, and 1,394 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,567.2 people per square mile (606.0/km²). There were 1,780 housing units at an average density of 584.7/sq mi (226.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.06% White, 1.07% African American, 1.74% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.63% of the population.

There were 1,763 households, out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.5% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.9% were non-families. 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.06.

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech College near Landisville PA

Landisville PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right veterinary technician college is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech programs must make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Landisville PA.