Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Lehigh Valley PA

How to Choose a Vet Tech Program near Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania

Lehigh Valley PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Lehigh Valley PA may at first feel like a challenging task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their residences. After they have found some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications 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 schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Lehigh Valley PA

cat with cone after surgery in Lehigh Valley PA Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Lehigh Valley PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a formal 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 vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training in contrast to assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental 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 involved functions, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Lehigh Valley PA laboratories or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Lehigh Valley

student attending online vet tech school in Lehigh Valley PA An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Lehigh Valley PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical 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 program may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Lehigh Valley PA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Lehigh Valley PA vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Lehigh Valley PA area and across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, 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 rigorous screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Lehigh Valley PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet 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 grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Lehigh Valley PA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Lehigh Valley PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Lehigh Valley PA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Lehigh Valley PA schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Lehigh Valley PA home, you need 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the vet schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lehigh Valley PA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lehigh Valley PA?

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

Lehigh Valley

The Lehigh Valley (/ˈliːhaɪ/), known officially by the United States Census Bureau and the United States Office of Management and Budget[3] as the Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton, PA–NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area and referred to colloquially as The Valley,[4] is a metropolitan region officially consisting of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties in eastern Pennsylvania and Warren county on the western edge of New Jersey, in the Eastern United States.[5] The Lehigh Valley's largest city, with a population of 120,443, is Allentown.[6]

The region is a part of the larger New York City metropolitan area, but borders the Philadelphia metropolitan area. All of the region, except Warren County, New Jersey, is part of Philadelphia's designated media market.

The Lehigh Valley is the third most populous Metropolitan Statistical Area in the state of Pennsylvania with a population of 821,173 residents as of the 2010 U.S. Census.[2] The region is eclipsed in total population in Pennsylvania only by the metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metropolitan areas.[2] It is the 64th most populated metropolitan area in the United States. Lehigh County, the Valley's largest county in terms of overall population, is among the fastest growing in the state and, as of 2010–2012, ranks in the 79th percentile for population growth nationally. The core population centers are located in southern and central Lehigh and Northampton counties along U.S. Route 22 and Interstate 78. The Lehigh Valley is proximate to two of the nation's largest cities: New York City, which is about 75 miles to its east, and Philadelphia, which is 50 miles to its southeast.

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech School near Lehigh Valley PA

Lehigh Valley PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech program is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician programs need to make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential 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 included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lehigh Valley PA.