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How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Orefield Pennsylvania

Orefield PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Orefield PA might initially feel like a challenging task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a college that will furnish the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their residences. When they have identified some local schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different duties of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Orefield PA

cat with cone after surgery in Orefield PA Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Orefield PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex undertakings, such as 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 controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Orefield

student attending online vet tech school in Orefield PA An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Orefield PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for commuting and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Orefield PA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Orefield PA vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Orefield PA area and across the United States, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech program 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). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Orefield PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Orefield PA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Orefield PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Orefield PA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate 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 bigger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Orefield PA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Orefield PA home, you need to make certain 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, particularly if the school 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 might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the vet colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Orefield PA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Orefield PA?

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

Orefield, Pennsylvania

Orefield is a small unincorporated community in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, United States, split between North Whitehall and South Whitehall township. Located along Pennsylvania Route 309, Orefield has the zip code of 18069. Its name is derived from the extensive deposits of limonite (iron ore) once mined here. It was once the terminus of the Siegersville Branch of the Ironton Railroad, which was extended here to haul the ore.

Orefield is the former home to Parkland High School. It is a part of the Lehigh Valley and is only a few miles outside of Allentown. It is surrounded by many suburban housing developments, many of which were former farms operated by the Pennsylvania Dutch whose influence in the community is waning. There are many covered bridges nearby which cross the Jordan Creek.

Located near Orefield is a large factory for Alpo Dog Food, which has been owned by the Ralston Purina Company since the 1990s. Also located nearby are the Jaindl turkey farms, which provide the turkey for the White House on many Thanksgivings. Located in Orefield is Shankweiler's Drive-In, the second drive-in ever built (1934) and America's oldest operating drive-in theater.

Enroll in the Ideal Vet Tech College near Orefield PA

Orefield PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal veterinary technician school is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech programs must make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Orefield PA.