Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Pottstown PA - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Pottstown Pennsylvania

Pottstown PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Pottstown PA might initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you must find and enroll in a school that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the best choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. After they have found some area colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when evaluating vet technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Pottstown PA

cat with cone after surgery in Pottstown PA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many functions that they can carry out within the Pottstown PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and usually obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years to complete. 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 career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Pottstown PA labs or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Pottstown

student attending online vet tech school in Pottstown PA An alternative that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Pottstown PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for traveling and study materials, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Pottstown PA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Pottstown PA vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Pottstown PA area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for many Pottstown PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Pottstown PA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Pottstown PA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate may mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Pottstown PA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Pottstown PA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Pottstown PA home, you have to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could 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 find out if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Pottstown PA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure 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 sickness, work or family responsibilities. 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 Pottstown PA?

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

Pottstown, Pennsylvania

Pottstown is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States about 40 miles (55 km) northwest of Philadelphia and 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Reading, on the Schuylkill River. Pottstown was laid out in 1752–53 and named Pottsgrove in honor of its founder, John Potts. The old name was abandoned at the time of the incorporation as a borough in 1815. In 1888, the limits of the borough were considerably extended. Pottstown is the center of a productive farming and dairying region.

Pottstown's iron and steel interests were once very extensive. There were large rolling mills, furnaces, nail works, textile mills, bridge works, agricultural-implement works, boiler and machine shops, foundries, and manufactories of bricks, silks, shirts, hosiery, etc. In 1900, 13,696 people lived there; in 1910, 15,599; in 1920, 17,431; and in 1940, 20,194. The population was 22,377 at the 2010 census.

Modern-day Pottstown is on land originally deeded to William Penn.[3] Germans, Swedes and English were among the area's first European settlers. After establishment of the first iron forge in 1714, Pottstown's fortunes became tied to the iron industry.

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician College near Pottstown PA

Pottstown PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right veterinary technician college is an important first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students looking into veterinary technician programs need to make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals 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 profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Pottstown PA.