Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Northumberland PA

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech Program near Northumberland Pennsylvania

Northumberland PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Northumberland PA may initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the right selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have identified some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important considerations when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make a final selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the different roles of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Northumberland PA

cat with cone after surgery in Northumberland PA Among 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 determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many tasks that they can carry out within the Northumberland PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive 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 veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty 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 duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. So the only real 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 opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Northumberland

student attending online vet tech school in Northumberland PA An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Northumberland PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Northumberland PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Northumberland PA vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Northumberland PA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for a number of Northumberland PA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online 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 complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Northumberland PA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs established with Northumberland PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Northumberland PA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Northumberland PA schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Northumberland PA home, you have to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Northumberland PA. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Northumberland PA?

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

Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

Northumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 94,528.[1] Its county seat is Sunbury.[2] The county was formed in 1772 from parts of Lancaster, Berks, Bedford, Cumberland, and Northampton Counties and named for the county of Northumberland in northern England. Northumberland County is a fifth class county according to the Pennsylvania's County Code.[3]

Among its famous residents, Joseph Priestley, the Enlightenment chemist and theologian, left England in 1796 due to religious persecution and settled on the Susquehanna River. His former house (originally purchased by chemists from Pennsylvania State University after a colloquium that founded the American Chemical Society[4]) is a historical museum.[5]

Before European settlement the area was inhabited by the Akhrakouaeronon or Atrakouaehronon, a subtribe of the Susquehannock. By 1813 the area once comprising the sprawling county of Northumberland had been divided over time and allotted to other counties such that lands once occupied by Old Northumberland at its greatest extent are now found in Centre, Columbia, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Union, Clearfield, Clinton, Montour, Bradford, Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Tioga, Potter, McKean, Warren, Venango, Snyder, and Schuylkill Counties.

Choose the Best Vet Tech Program near Northumberland PA

Northumberland PA vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering vet tech schools need to make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Northumberland PA.