Tag Archives: Colleges with Veterinary Technician Programs Kankakee IL 60901

Vet Tech Schools near Kankakee IL 60901

How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Kankakee Illinois

Kankakee IL vet tech holding dog during examFulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinarian college near Kankakee IL might at first seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you tackle reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their homes. When they have found some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the various roles of veterinary assistants and techs and the training options available.

The Function of a Veterinary Assistant and Tech

Kankakee IL vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyAmong the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated 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 have in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous tasks that they can carry out within the Kankakee IL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialty.

  • Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college near Kankakee 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 involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
  • Vet Technicians get more extensive 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 vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. 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 career opportunities, higher 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 anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Kankakee IL area research facilities as well.

Vet Online Programs

attending vet tech school online in Kankakee ILAn option that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at an area Kankakee IL veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. 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 provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician or assistant program may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Training Programs

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Kankakee ILBy now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Illinois and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the Kankakee IL vet technician and assistant programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician or assistant college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for a number of Kankakee IL veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation?  The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. 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 pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Illinois school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Kankakee IL veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with local veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local Kankakee IL vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech or assistant college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate may mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the Kankakee IL college has an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Kankakee IL schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from work or home, you have 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 Kankakee IL college is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the Illinois veterinarian programs you are looking at 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. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered near Kankakee IL prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Vet Assistant?

When prepping to interview for a veterinary job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask veterinary candidates is "What compelled you to select veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being a vet tech, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to veterinary care, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready a number of approaches about how you would like to answer 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 readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent vet tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Select the Best Veterinary Technologist School near Kankakee IL

Choosing the appropriate vet technician college is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Students considering vet tech or assistant schools must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary assistants, techs and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech colleges 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 decision. And by choosing the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet technician, assistant or technologist in Kankakee IL.

A Little Bit About Kankakee IL

Kankakee, Illinois

Kankakee /kæŋkəˈki/ is a city in and the county seat of Kankakee County, Illinois, United States.[5] The city's name is probably derived from the Miami-Illinois word teeyaahkiki, meaning: "Open country/exposed land/land in open/land exposed to view,"[6][7][8][9][10] in reference to the area's prior status as a marsh. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,537. Kankakee is a principal city of the Kankakee-Bourbonnais-Bradley Metropolitan Statistical Area

The area of Kankakee was inhabited by the Potawatami beginning sometime in the 18th century. In 1833 the Potawatami signed a treaty with the United States government, agreeing to leave the region and move west. Kankakee was founded in 1854.[11]

Kankakee is located at 41°7′12″N 87°51′36″W / 41.12000°N 87.86000°W / 41.12000; -87.86000 (41.12, −87.86).[12]

 

 

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