Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Schwenksville PA

How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Schwenksville Pennsylvania

Schwenksville PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Schwenksville PA might at first feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. After they have found some local colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important factors when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Schwenksville PA

cat with cone after surgery in Schwenksville PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the Schwenksville PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and generally acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four 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 opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet technicians 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 Schwenksville PA laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Schwenksville

student attending online vet tech school in Schwenksville PA An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Schwenksville PA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for commuting and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Schwenksville PA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Schwenksville PA vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinary credential that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Schwenksville PA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary technician school 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 gone through a rigorous screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Schwenksville PA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’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 reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Schwenksville PA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more 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 professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Schwenksville PA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Schwenksville PA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not highly 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 may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Schwenksville PA programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Schwenksville PA home, you have to confirm that the driving time is compatible with 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 in or near a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the vet colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Schwenksville PA. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Schwenksville PA?

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

Schwenksville, Pennsylvania

Schwenksville is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,385 at the 2010 census. It is notable for being located near the site of the Philadelphia Folk Festival. The borough was founded in 1684, when the Lenni-Lenape Indians ceded to William Penn the land along the Perkiomen Creek; it was incorporated in 1903. The borough was named for George Schwenk, whose son, Jacob Schwenk, served in George Washington's army.

Schwenksville is also the gateway to the Perkiomen Trail, a nineteen-mile section of the former Reading Railroad's Perkiomen Valley corridor. It now serves as a multi-use rail trail and was completed in 2003.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Schwenksville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[5]

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician College near Schwenksville PA

Schwenksville PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician programs must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the right school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Schwenksville PA.