Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools New Germantown PA

How to Select a Vet Tech School near New Germantown Pennsylvania

New Germantown PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near New Germantown PA might at first feel like a challenging task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their homes. When they have located some local colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when assessing vet technician programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in New Germantown PA

cat with cone after surgery in New Germantown PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the New Germantown PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education 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 vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and normally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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 New Germantown PA laboratories or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in New Germantown

student attending online vet tech school in New Germantown PA An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local New Germantown PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech program may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask New Germantown PA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask New Germantown PA vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the New Germantown PA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of New Germantown PA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some New Germantown PA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with New Germantown PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the New Germantown PA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly 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 probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the New Germantown PA programs you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your New Germantown PA home, you must confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the vet programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near New Germantown PA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near New Germantown PA?

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

Germantown, Philadelphia

Germantown is an area in Northwest Philadelphia. Founded by German Quaker and Mennonite families in 1683 as an independent borough, it was absorbed into Philadelphia in 1854. The area, which is about six miles northwest from the city center, now consists of two neighborhoods: 'Germantown' and 'East Germantown'.

Germantown has played a significant role in American history; it was the birthplace of the American antislavery movement, the site of a Revolutionary War battle, the temporary residence of George Washington, the location of the first bank of the United States, and the residence of many notable politicians, scholars, artists, and social activists.

Germantown stretches for about two miles along Germantown Avenue northwest from Windrim and Roberts Avenues. Germantown has been consistently bounded on the southwest by Wissahickon Avenue, on the southeast by Roberts Avenue, and on the east by Wister Street and Stenton Avenue,[4] but its northwest border has expanded and contracted over the years. When first incorporated as a borough in 1689, Germantown was separated from the rural Germantown Township by Washington Lane;[5] later, the border was expanded to Carpenter and East Gorgas Lanes;[6] it was then rolled back to Washington Lane in 1846,[4] and remained there until the borough was absorbed into the city of Philadelphia in 1854.

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near New Germantown PA

New Germantown PA vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Students looking into vet tech colleges must make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges 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 choosing the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in New Germantown PA.