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How to Select a Veterinary Technician Program near Strasburg Pennsylvania

Strasburg PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Strasburg PA might initially seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you must find and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. When they have identified some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Strasburg PA

cat with cone after surgery in Strasburg PA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Strasburg PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian 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 included in more complicated functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
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 generally takes four years. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs 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 Strasburg PA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Strasburg

student attending online vet tech school in Strasburg PA An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Strasburg PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Strasburg PA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Strasburg PA vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinary degree that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Strasburg PA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Strasburg PA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies 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 tip, contact some Strasburg PA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Strasburg PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate may suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Strasburg PA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify 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 sized, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Strasburg PA programs you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Strasburg PA home, you must confirm 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 college is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Strasburg PA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Strasburg PA?

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

Strasburg, Pennsylvania

Strasburg is a borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. It developed as a linear village along the Great Conestoga Road, stretching about two miles along path later known as the Strasburg Road.[4] The population was 2,800 at the 2000 census. The town was named after Strasbourg in Alsace, the native home of an early settler.[5] The town is often called "Train Town USA" because of the many railroad attractions in and around town, including the Strasburg Rail Road and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Much of the movie Witness was filmed on a farm nearby. Much of the borough was listed as a historic district by the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

The Old Conestoga Road was in use by 1714, and by 1750 a tavern and some log houses were built near the current site of Strasburg. Strasburg grew as the trade over the road with Philadelphia grew. By 1759, there were 32 taxable properties in the town, including about ten hotels. Many early settlers were Huguenots or Swiss or German Mennonites and several church congregations of various faiths formed during the 1760s. The first church was built in 1807 by Methodists.[6]

The Old Conestoga Road was the main path connecting Philadelphia to the west, but in 1792 the new Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike was built, bypassing Strasburg four miles to the north. However, in 1793 construction on the new Strasburg Road started, roughly following the old road, passing through West Chester on the way to Philadelphia. It attracted traffic because it was not a toll-road, unlike the Philadelphia Turnpike. This road later developed into PA 741.[4]

Select the Ideal Vet Tech College near Strasburg PA

Strasburg PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Strasburg PA.