Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools West Decatur PA

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech School near West Decatur Pennsylvania

West Decatur PA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near West Decatur PA may at first feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a school that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. After they have found some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in West Decatur PA

cat with cone after surgery in West Decatur PA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of functions that they can perform within the West Decatur PA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and normally acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more involved activities, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in West Decatur

student attending online vet tech school in West Decatur PA An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local West Decatur PA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for travel and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask West Decatur PA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask West Decatur PA vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the West Decatur PA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the vet tech school 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 gone through an extensive screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many West Decatur PA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Pennsylvania school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some West Decatur PA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs established with West Decatur PA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate might signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the West Decatur PA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the West Decatur PA colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your West Decatur PA home, you must make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near West Decatur PA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near West Decatur PA?

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

Stephen Decatur

Stephen Decatur Jr. (January 5, 1779 – March 22, 1820) was a United States naval officer and commodore. He was born on the eastern shore of Maryland in Worcester County, the son of a U.S. naval officer who served during the American Revolution. His father, Stephen Decatur Sr., was a commodore in the U.S. Navy, and brought the younger Stephen into the world of ships and sailing early on. Shortly after attending college, Decatur followed in his father's footsteps and joined the U.S. Navy at the age of nineteen as a midshipman.[1][2]

Decatur supervised the construction of several U.S. naval vessels, one of which he later commanded. Promoted at age 25, he is the youngest man to reach the rank of captain in the history of the United States Navy.[3] He served under three presidents, and played a major role in the early development of the American navy. In almost every theater of operation, Decatur's service was characterized by acts of heroism and exceptional performance. His service in the Navy took him through both Barbary Wars in North Africa, the Quasi-War with France, and the War of 1812 with Britain. He was renowned for his natural ability to lead and for his genuine concern for the seamen under his command.[4] His numerous naval victories against Britain, France and the Barbary states established the United States Navy as a rising power.

During this period he served aboard and commanded many naval vessels and ultimately became a member of the Board of Navy Commissioners. He built a large home in Washington, known as Decatur House, on Lafayette Square, and was the center of Washington society in the early 19th century.[5] He became an affluent member of Washington society and counted James Monroe and other Washington dignitaries among his personal friends.[6]

Pick the Right Vet Tech School near West Decatur PA

West Decatur PA vet tech holding dog Selecting the right vet tech college is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students looking into vet tech programs must make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in West Decatur PA.