Vet Tech Schools near Cissna Park IL 60924 - Find Vet Tech and Assistant Schools

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Training near Cissna Park Illinois

Cissna Park IL vet tech holding dog during exam Realizing your long term goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary school near Cissna Park IL might at first feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the right choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. After they have located some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are considering before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the varied roles of veterinary assistants and techs and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Assistant and Tech

Cissna Park IL vet assistant taking vital signs of puppy One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many functions that they can carry out within the Cissna Park IL veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, 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 typical vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school near Cissna Park IL. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and typically obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 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 job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Cissna Park IL area research facilities also.

Vet Online Degree Programs

attending vet tech school online in Cissna Park IL An alternative that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Cissna Park IL veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for commuting and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet technician or assistant school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technician Programs

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Cissna Park IL At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in Illinois and across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the Cissna Park IL vet assistant and tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary assistant or technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Cissna Park IL veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select must have an excellent 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 placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Illinois school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Cissna Park IL veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get clinical hands on training as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with local veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local Cissna Park IL vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech or assistant program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the Cissna Park IL program has an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Cissna Park IL colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary assistant classes from work or home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the Cissna Park IL campus is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the Illinois veterinarian schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered near Cissna Park IL prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Why Did You Want to Become a Veterinary Assistant?

When preparing to interview for a veterinary position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask veterinary candidates is "What drove you to decide on veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for being a vet tech, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to veterinary care, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should organize some ideas about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an excellent vet tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Pick the Right Veterinary Tech School near Cissna Park IL

Choosing the ideal vet assistant or tech school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering vet tech or assistant colleges must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Vet assistants, techs and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet technician, assistant or technologist in Cissna Park IL.