Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Schaefferstown PA

How to Pick a Vet Tech School near Schaefferstown Pennsylvania

Schaefferstown PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Schaefferstown PA might at first feel like a daunting endeavor. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. Once they have identified some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important factors when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Schaefferstown PA

cat with cone after surgery in Schaefferstown PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Schaefferstown PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Schaefferstown

student attending online vet tech school in Schaefferstown PA An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Schaefferstown PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm 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 complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Schaefferstown PA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Schaefferstown PA vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Schaefferstown PA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, one of 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 verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Schaefferstown PA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Schaefferstown PA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Schaefferstown PA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate may suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Schaefferstown PA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well 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, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Schaefferstown PA schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Schaefferstown PA home, you must make sure 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 school is located in or near 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 higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating 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 at night near Schaefferstown PA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Schaefferstown PA?

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

Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania

Schaefferstown is one of the oldest towns in Lebanon County (which was formed from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1813), being at least a century older than the county itself. It is the main town in Heidelberg Township. Although the exact date of the first settlers is unknown, it is certain that they settled here before 1725. Those first settlers were German Jews. Many of them were skilled craftmen and traders. They disappeared, however, when non-Jewish German settlers started moving into the area. The old burial ground was situated about a fourth mile south of Tower Hill and almost a hundred yards east of South Market Street in Schaefferstown. The Jewish settlement was known as the Lebanon Trading Post.

Brendle Farms, Philip Erpff House, and Rex House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bomberger's Distillery, also listed, was located near Schaefferstown.[1] The buildings of the distillery were demolished. The Schaeffer House was added to the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2011.[2]

It is home to Fountain Park, which is the oldest Chartered Waterworks still in operation in the United States. It drains southward into the Cocalico Creek (a tributary of the Conestoga River) and is served by Routes 419, 501, and 897.

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician School near Schaefferstown PA

Schaefferstown PA vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about vet tech colleges need to make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Schaefferstown PA.