Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Thompsontown PA

How to Select a Vet Tech Program near Thompsontown Pennsylvania

Thompsontown PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Thompsontown PA could at first feel like a challenging task. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the best choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. After they have located some local schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when evaluating veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Thompsontown PA

cat with cone after surgery in Thompsontown PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Thompsontown PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through 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 vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and typically obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. Therefore 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 career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Thompsontown

student attending online vet tech school in Thompsontown PA An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Thompsontown PA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for commuting and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Thompsontown PA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Thompsontown PA vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinary 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 Thompsontown PA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Thompsontown PA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Thompsontown PA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Thompsontown PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop 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 vet tech program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Thompsontown PA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Thompsontown PA programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already talked about 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 Thompsontown PA home, you must make certain 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, especially if the college is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Thompsontown 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 prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Thompsontown PA?

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

Thompsontown, Pennsylvania

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 711 people, 348 households, and 202 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,193.1 people per square mile (857.9/km2). There were 371 housing units at an average density of 1,144.4 per square mile (447.6/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 99.58% White, 0.14% Native American and 0.28% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.14% of the population.

There were 348 households, out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 37.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.66.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 19.3% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

Select the Ideal Vet Tech Program near Thompsontown PA

Thompsontown PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician program is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician schools need to make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Thompsontown PA.