Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Stroudsburg PA

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near Stroudsburg Pennsylvania

Stroudsburg PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Stroudsburg PA may initially feel like a daunting task. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the right choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. After they have located some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the different roles of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Stroudsburg PA

cat with cone after surgery in Stroudsburg PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Stroudsburg PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, 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 complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 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 job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Stroudsburg

student attending online vet tech school in Stroudsburg PA An option that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Stroudsburg PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Stroudsburg PA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Stroudsburg PA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Stroudsburg PA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you select 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 undergone an extensive review process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for a number of Stroudsburg PA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet 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, call some Stroudsburg PA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Stroudsburg PA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. 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 Stroudsburg PA veterinary 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 assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Stroudsburg PA programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Stroudsburg PA home, you have to make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Stroudsburg PA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Stroudsburg PA?

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

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Stroudsburg is a borough in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is in the state's Poconos region, approximately five miles (8 km) from the Delaware Water Gap, at the confluence of the Brodhead, McMichaels and Pocono Creeks. It is in northeastern Pennsylvania. It is also the county seat of Monroe County. Stroudsburg is part of the East Stroudsburg, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn is part of the New York combined statistical area.

Currently Stroudsburg has an estimated population of about 6,674 people, an estimate from 2010. In 1900, 3,450 people inhabited Stroudsburg; in 1910, 4,379; in 1940, 6,186; in 2000, 5,756; and in 2008, 6,294 people were living here. The immediate greater Stroudsburg area, including Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg, Stroud Township, Hamilton Township, and Arlington Heights, has a population of about 50,000.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2).1.8 square miles (4.6 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2) of it (1.67%) is water.

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech College near Stroudsburg PA

Stroudsburg PA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech schools need to make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and assist 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 field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Stroudsburg PA.