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How to Select a Veterinary Technician Program near Perkasie Pennsylvania

Perkasie PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Perkasie PA might initially seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the right choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their homes. After they have identified some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest 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 comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Perkasie PA

cat with cone after surgery in Perkasie PA Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of tasks that they can carry out within the Perkasie PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Perkasie PA labs or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Perkasie

student attending online vet tech school in Perkasie PA An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Perkasie PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. 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 veterinary technician program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Perkasie PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Perkasie PA vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Perkasie PA area and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary 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 frequently a precondition for employment for many Perkasie PA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Perkasie PA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Perkasie PA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program 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 evaluating. A lower rate may mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Perkasie PA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Perkasie PA schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Perkasie PA home, you have to make certain that the driving 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, particularly if the school is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend 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, attending online classes may 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 important that you determine if the vet schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough 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 Perkasie PA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Perkasie PA?

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

Perkasie, Pennsylvania

Perkasie is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 35 miles (56 km) north of Philadelphia. Establishments in the borough early in the twentieth century included silk mills, baseballs, brickyards, lumber mills, tile works, a stone crusher, and manufacturies of cigars, tags and labels, wire novelties, etc. The population in 1900 was 1,803; in 1910, 2,779 people lived in Perkasie. The population was 8,511 at the 2010 census.

Both the town of Perkasie and Pocasie Creek derive their name from the Lenape Unami phrase Pèhpahkàsink/Poekskossing which translates to "One who goes to the place to crack nuts" Or " one who cracks nuts there". Pahkàsink/Pokesing means "a place to crack nuts". Lastly, Pahkàsi/Pocasie means "to crack nuts". The Dutch/Swedish (before the British settlements) pronounced the word with an r and it stuck. Sink sounded a lot like sing which translates to place or area. There was doubtless a village on the site of the present town before William Penn’s Perkasie Manor was settled."[3] "The "Manor" of Perkasie was one of several in Bucks County and contained 11,462 acres (4,639 ha). Laid out and surveyed in 1708 it embraced most of Hilltown and Rockhill Township."[4]

On June 8, 1890, a disastrous fire began at the livery stable located at 7th and Chestnut Streets; twelve buildings were destroyed. Personal buckets and ladders were used to extinguish the fire. Less than a month later, on July 4, 1890, a committee appointed by Perkasie Borough Council met to form the Hope Fire Company. On September 8, 1890, the Hope Fire Company met at Groover's Hall (517 Chestnut Street) and adopted a constitution and by-laws; 32 members were present.

Choose the Best Veterinary Technician College near Perkasie PA

Perkasie PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students looking into veterinary technician schools must make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. 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 choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Perkasie PA.