Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Lewisville PA

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Lewisville Pennsylvania

Lewisville PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Lewisville PA could initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a college that will furnish the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle assessing and contrasting schools so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. After they have identified some local colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when evaluating vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Lewisville PA

cat with cone after surgery in Lewisville PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many jobs that they can perform within the Lewisville PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. 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 complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four 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 work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Lewisville

student attending online vet tech school in Lewisville PA An option that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Lewisville PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for example for commuting and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you select 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 comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Lewisville PA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Lewisville PA vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Lewisville PA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for many Lewisville PA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Lewisville PA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Lewisville PA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Lewisville PA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Lewisville PA programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Lewisville PA home, you must confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at 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 at night near Lewisville PA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lewisville PA?

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

Pennsylvania Route 472

Pennsylvania Route 472 (PA 472) is a north–south state highway in Chester and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania. Its southern terminus is at PA 841 in Lewisville 300 yards (270 m) north of the Maryland border. Its northern terminus is at PA 372 in Quarryville. PA 472 is a two-lane undivided road that passes through mostly rural areas along a northwest-southeast alignment. The route passes through the borough of Oxford, where it intersects the southern terminus of PA 10 and has an interchange with U.S. Route 1 (US 1). PA 472 was originally designated in 1928 between US 1/PA 12/PA 42 in Oxford and PA 372 in Quarryville. The route was extended south to Hickory Hill by 1930, at which time the entire length of the route was paved. The southern terminus of PA 472 was extended to PA 841 in Lewisville in 1937.

PA 472 begins at an intersection with PA 841 in the community of Lewisville in Elk Township, Chester County a short distance north of the Maryland border. From this intersection, the route heads west-northwest on two-lane undivided Lewisville Road. The road runs through farms and residential areas, curving to the north. PA 472 runs through a mix of farmland and woodland with some homes, turning west and passing through the community of Peacedale. The route curves northwest and comes to the community of Hickory Hill, where it turns north onto Hickory Hill Road. PA 472 continues northwest into East Nottingham Township and passes through rural land with mixed residential subdivisions. The road curves west and enters through the borough of Oxford, where it becomes Market Street and is lined with homes. The route heads into the commercial downtown and crosses an East Penn Railroad line before intersecting the southern terminus of PA 10. At this point, PA 472 turns north for a one block concurrency with PA 10 on Third Street before splitting by turning northwest onto Lancaster Avenue. The road turns west and heads through residential areas with some farm fields, reaching an interchange with the US 1 freeway. A park and ride lot is situated within this interchange. Past this interchange, the route leaves Oxford for Lower Oxford Township and heads northwest through farmland with some wooded areas and homes, passing through the community of Mount Vernon.[2][3]

PA 472 crosses the Octoraro Lake along Octoraro Creek into Colerain Township in Lancaster County and becomes Kirkwood Pike.[2][4] At this point, the route enters the Pennsylvania Dutch Country of eastern Lancaster County, which is home to many Amish farms.[5][6] The road passes through agricultural areas with some woods and homes, passing through Union before reaching the community of Kirkwood. Here, the route turns west-northwest through more rural land with some development. PA 472 passes through the community of Collins before crossing into Eden Township. The road continues into the borough of Quarryville and becomes South Lime Street, passing homes and some businesses. PA 472 reaches its northern terminus at an intersection with PA 372.[2][4]

Pick the Right Vet Tech College near Lewisville PA

Lewisville PA vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech colleges must make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lewisville PA.