Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Upper Darby PA

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech School near Upper Darby Pennsylvania

Upper Darby PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Upper Darby PA might initially seem like a daunting task. After all, you have to find and enroll in a school that will furnish the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting schools so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their residences. Once they have found some local colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when assessing vet technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at before you make a final selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Upper Darby PA

cat with cone after surgery in Upper Darby PA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Upper Darby PA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational 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. Usually they are not associated with more complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
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 typically takes four years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Upper Darby

student attending online vet tech school in Upper Darby PA An option that might 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 training program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Upper Darby PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, such as for travel and study materials, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Upper Darby PA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Upper Darby PA vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Upper Darby PA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 gone through an extensive review process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Upper Darby PA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate 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 rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Upper Darby PA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Upper Darby PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Upper Darby PA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate 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. Request from the Upper Darby PA programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Upper Darby PA home, you have to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Upper Darby PA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Upper Darby PA?

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

Upper Darby Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Upper Darby Township (often shortened to simply Upper Darby) is a home rule township[3] bordering Philadelphia in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. Upper Darby is home to the Tower Theater, a historic music venue on 69th Street built in the 1920s. Upper Darby's population is diverse, representing over 100 ethnic cultures. The township hosts a range of housing types including densely populated rowhouse sections similar to houses in neighboring West Philadelphia, tree-lined neighborhoods of turn-of-the-century single-family houses and mid-century developments. It is Pennsylvania's sixth most populous municipality.

Upper Darby is 65% residential, 25% commercial, and 8% other. As of the 2010 census, the township had a total population of 82,795.[4] Because of a home-rule charter adopted in 1974 and effective in 1976,[3] Upper Darby utilizes a mayor-council form of management, unlike communities that are still under the Pennsylvania Township Code. ("First Class" townships in Pennsylvania have a board of commissioners divided into wards, and "Second Class" townships having a board of supervisors, which are usually elected "at-large".)

In 1650, the area that eventually became Upper Darby had been inhabited by the Lenape tribe of Native Americans for hundreds of years, but war with the Susquehannock to the west along with devastating smallpox and measles epidemics had significantly reduced their numbers. The first permanent Europeans settlers arrived in late 1653 with a group from New Sweden. Soon after, in 1655, New Sweden was taken over by the Dutch, and then came under English rule in October 1664 as part England's overall conquest of New Amsterdam. The region was controlled as a possession of the English king until it was included in a large land grant to William Penn in 1681.

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician College near Upper Darby PA

Upper Darby PA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right veterinary technician school is an important first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into vet tech programs must make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you enroll in 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 choices so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Upper Darby PA.