Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Mountville PA

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Mountville Pennsylvania

Mountville PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Mountville PA could initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. Once they have located some local colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important factors when evaluating vet technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Mountville PA

cat with cone after surgery in Mountville PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. 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 most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Mountville PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing 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. Normally they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years. So the only real 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 potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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 Mountville PA labs or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Mountville

student attending online vet tech school in Mountville PA An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Mountville PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for example for travel and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain 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 provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech program may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Mountville PA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Mountville PA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Mountville PA area and across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Mountville PA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet 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 grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Mountville PA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Mountville PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult 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 lower rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Mountville PA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Mountville PA colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Mountville PA home, you have to confirm 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 school is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Mountville PA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family issues. You might find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Mountville PA?

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

Mountville, Pennsylvania

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 2,444 people, 1,018 households, and 692 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,856.8 people per square mile (1,097.2/km²). There were 1,041 housing units at an average density of 1,216.8 per square mile (467.4/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 95.2% White, 1.3% African American, 0.0% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.7% of the population.[7]

There were 1,018 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 20.9% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

Pick the Right Vet Tech College near Mountville PA

Mountville PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech college is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet tech colleges must make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when 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 goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the ideal program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Mountville PA.