Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Wellersburg PA

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Wellersburg Pennsylvania

Wellersburg PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Wellersburg PA might initially feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the ideal selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their residences. Once they have located some local schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important factors when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the various roles of vet techs and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Wellersburg PA

cat with cone after surgery in Wellersburg PA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many duties that they can perform within the Wellersburg PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from 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 completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general 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 functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Wellersburg

student attending online vet tech school in Wellersburg PA An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Wellersburg PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Wellersburg PA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Wellersburg PA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Wellersburg PA area and across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Wellersburg PA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions 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 grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Wellersburg PA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Wellersburg PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate could indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Wellersburg PA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Wellersburg PA schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to 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 College Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Wellersburg PA home, you need to make sure 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 larger 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 costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Wellersburg PA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Wellersburg PA?

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

Wellersburg, Pennsylvania

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 176 people, 84 households, and 51 families residing in the borough. The population density was 223.4 people per square mile (86.0/km2). There were 90 housing units at an average density of 114.2 per square mile (44.0/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.86% White, and 1.14% from two or more races.

There were 84 households out of which 15.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.63.

In the borough the population was spread out with 15.9% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

Choose the Best Vet Tech Program near Wellersburg PA

Wellersburg PA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech program is an important first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician colleges need to make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Wellersburg PA.