Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Wernersville PA

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near Wernersville Pennsylvania

Wernersville PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Wernersville PA might initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a school that will furnish the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. After they have identified some local schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important factors when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Wernersville PA

cat with cone after surgery in Wernersville PA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Wernersville PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing 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 execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and normally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 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 job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Wernersville

student attending online vet tech school in Wernersville PA An approach that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Wernersville PA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for travel and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Wernersville PA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Wernersville PA vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Wernersville PA area and across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech 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 undergone an extensive screening process that verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Wernersville PA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on 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 complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Wernersville PA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Wernersville PA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Wernersville PA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Wernersville PA programs you are researching what their classroom 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. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Wernersville PA home, you need to make sure 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, particularly if the school is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary programs 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 Wernersville PA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Wernersville PA?

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

Wernersville, Pennsylvania

In the late 19th century and early 20th century, Wernersville was a noted resort community. City dwellers (especially from Philadelphia and New York City) traveled out to Wernersville (a stop on the Reading Railroad) to rest and partake of the cool mountain air of South Mountain. A number of large resort hotels were erected for this purpose including Galen Hall, Bynden Wood, Grand View and the Highland Hotel. Some were advertised as sanatoriums, specializing in rest cures for illnesses such as tuberculosis. The most famous of these was Dr. Robert Walter's Mountain Park (aka Walters Park). Most of these resort hotels have since disappeared due to fire, demolition, or have been transformed into buildings for institutional purposes. Some cottages once associated with the resorts are now private homes.

There is a Jesuit Center with a small Jesuit community here; Wernersville was once the location of the Jesuit novitiate center for the Society's Maryland Province, before the novitiates of the New York and Maryland provinces merged and it was relocated to Syracuse, New York.

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 2,150 people, 843 households and 558 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,690.3 people per square mile (1,037.6/km²). There were 870 housing units at an average density of 1,088.6 per square mile (419.9/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.77% White, 0.84% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.88% of the population.

Pick the Ideal Veterinary Technician College near Wernersville PA

Wernersville PA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right vet tech college is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician programs must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online 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 selection. And by picking the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Wernersville PA.