How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Dundee Illinois
Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet college near Dundee IL may initially feel like a challenging task. After all, you have to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you tackle reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the best choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their homes. After they have located some local colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. 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 furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the different responsibilities of veterinary techs and assistants and the training options offered.
The Function of a Veterinary Assistant and Tech
Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician 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 main determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Dundee IL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. 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 training requirements for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school near Dundee IL. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
- Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain 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 basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Dundee IL area research facilities also.
Online Vet Courses
An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at an area Dundee IL veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for travel and study materials, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary tech or assistant school may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Vet Assistant and Tech Degree Programs
At this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in Illinois as well as across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the Dundee IL vet assistant and tech colleges that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet assistant or tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for many Dundee IL veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Illinois school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Dundee IL vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get clinical hands on training as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with local veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local Dundee IL vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet technician or assistant school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the Dundee IL college has an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Dundee IL schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet technician classes from work or home, you need to confirm 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the Dundee IL campus is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes might 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 ascertain if the Illinois vet programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available near Dundee IL prior to enrolling. In addition, 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 college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.
Why Did You Decide to Become a Vet Assistant?
When prepping to interview for a veterinary position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask veterinary applicants is "What drove you to pick veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being a vet tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding vet tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.Enroll in the Right Veterinary Assistant Program near Dundee IL
Selecting the right vet technician program is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary tech or assistant schools must make their decision based on multiple key issues. Vet techs, assistants and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you choose 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 evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist in Dundee IL.
A Little Bit About Dundee IL
West Dundee, Illinois
West Dundee is a village in Kane County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,331 as of the 2010 US Census. It is considered a far west Chicago suburb.
West Dundee lies across the Fox River from East Dundee and Carpentersville.
West Dundee is located at 42°5′43″N 88°17′9″W / 42.09528°N 88.28583°W / 42.09528; -88.28583 (42.095327, -88.285809).[3]
More Cities of Interest in Illinois