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How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Lansdowne Pennsylvania

Lansdowne PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Lansdowne PA might at first seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a college that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the proper selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. Once they have found some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when assessing vet tech programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Lansdowne PA

cat with cone after surgery in Lansdowne PA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Lansdowne PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved 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 examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and normally acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Lansdowne

student attending online vet tech school in Lansdowne PA An approach that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Lansdowne PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for commuting and study materials, can be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. 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 mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Lansdowne PA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Lansdowne PA vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Lansdowne PA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for a number of Lansdowne PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting 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 specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Lansdowne PA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Lansdowne PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical 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? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate may indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Lansdowne PA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean 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 bigger, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lansdowne PA programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Lansdowne PA home, you have to make certain that the driving time is compatible with 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 school is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Lansdowne PA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lansdowne PA?

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

Lansdowne, Pennsylvania

Lansdowne is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States located 6 miles (10 km) southwest of the City Center of Philadelphia. It was named for the Marquess of Lansdowne. As of the 2010 census the borough had a population of 10,620.[3]

Lansdowne grew quickly in the early part of the twentieth century when a railroad stop was established near the intersection of Lansdowne Avenue and Baltimore Pike. The borough is primarily residential with a commercial center near the original railroad stop. The borough also contained some light industrial buildings which have been in decline in recent decades.

Lansdowne is located in eastern Delaware County at 39°56′29″N 75°16′31″W / 39.94139°N 75.27528°W / 39.94139; -75.27528 (39.941345, -75.275343).[4] It is bordered to the southeast by Yeadon, to the southwest by Aldan and Clifton Heights, and to the north, east, west, and south by Upper Darby Township. Drexel Hill, a part of Upper Darby Township, borders Lansdowne to the northwest, and the borough of East Lansdowne is just 0.1 miles (0.16 km) east of the Lansdowne border.

Choose the Best Vet Tech School near Lansdowne PA

Lansdowne PA vet tech holding dog Picking the right veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students looking into vet tech schools need to make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you pick 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 evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Lansdowne PA.