Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Warminster PA

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Warminster Pennsylvania

Warminster PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Warminster PA could at first seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. Once they have found some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important factors when assessing vet tech programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Warminster PA

cat with cone after surgery in Warminster PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Warminster PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts 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 engaged in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years to complete. So 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 examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Warminster PA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Warminster

student attending online vet tech school in Warminster PA An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet 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 course of study is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Warminster PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Warminster PA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Warminster PA vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Warminster PA area and across the United States, you must ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among 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 thorough screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many Warminster PA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance 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 grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Warminster PA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Warminster PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate might suggest that the instructors 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 could indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Warminster PA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Warminster PA schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on 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 qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously talked about 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 Warminster PA home, you have to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the vet colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Warminster PA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Warminster PA?

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

Warminster Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Warminster Township (also referred to as Warminster) is located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States and was formally established in 1711. It is 13.7 miles north of Philadelphia and had a population of 32,682 according to the 2010 U.S. census.[4]

The town was called Warminster Township as early as 1685, before its borders were formally established in 1711. It was originally part of Southampton Township, which was founded in 1682 by William Penn.[5]Warminster was named after a small town in the county of Wiltshire, at the western extremity of Salisbury Plain, England.[6] Warminster, Pennsylvania was mostly settled by English and Scotch-Irish after William Penn received a grant of land in the area from King Charles, II.[5]

Warminster began as a small farming community and remained that way throughout most of its history. As recently as 1955, the township had no residential subdivisions and only one housing complex, Lacey Park on Street Road, the site where the Battle of Crooked Billet occurred during the Revolutionary War that resulted in a resounding defeat for George Washington's troops.[5] Warminster's Craven Hall is included in the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Warminster's most significant historical figure was William Tennent, an outspoken religious leader and educator.[5]

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician School near Warminster PA

Warminster PA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician college is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician programs need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Warminster PA.