How to Choose a Vet Assistant School near Aiea Hawaii
Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet program near Aiea HI could at first seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. After they have found some local colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different roles of vet techs and assistants and the training options offered.
The Job of a Veterinary Tech and Assistant
One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the Aiea HI veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters 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 completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college near Aiea HI. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and generally acquire 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 fundamental 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 activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also 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. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Aiea HI area research facilities as well.
Veterinarian Online Colleges
An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at an area Aiea HI veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished 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.
What to Ask Vet Assistant and Technologist Schools
By now you should have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in Hawaii as well as across the USA, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the Aiea HI vet assistant and technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech or assistant program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Aiea HI vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the College’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Hawaii school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Aiea HI veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet assistant or tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with area veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local Aiea HI veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet assistant or technician college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the Aiea HI program has an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Aiea HI programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet technician classes from home or work, you need to confirm 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, particularly if the Aiea HI college is located close by or within a large 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 increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the Hawaii veterinary programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available near Aiea HI prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.
Why Did You Want to Become a Veterinary Assistant?
When prepping to interview for a veterinary job, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask veterinary candidates is "What drove you to select veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being a vet tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to veterinary care, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must ready some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding vet tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.Choose the Best Veterinary Assistant School near Aiea HI
Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering veterinary assistant or tech schools must make their decision based on a number of key factors. Vet techs, assistants and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet assistant, technician or technologist in Aiea HI.
A Little Bit About Aiea HI
Aiea, Hawaii
Aiea (Hawaiian: ʻAiea) is a census-designated place (CDP) located in the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the CDP had a total population of 9,338.[2]
Aiea is located at 21°23′9″N 157°55′51″W / 21.38583°N 157.93083°W / 21.38583; -157.93083 (21.385900, −157.930927).[2] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2), of which, 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (5.71%) is water.[2]
Kamehameha Highway (Hawaii Route 99) divides most of Aiea from the shore of Pearl Harbor (mostly US government property), and the parallel major thoroughfare, Interstate H-1, further cuts the town's commercial district into two distinct areas. These east-west routes (and other streets, such as Moanalua Road) connect Aiea to Pearl City, immediately adjacent on the west, and Halawa, adjacent on the east. The residential area known as Aiea Heights extends up the ridgeline above the town. The communities of Newtown Estates and Royal Summit are located at the western edge of Aiea near its border with Pearl City at Kaahumanu Street. Residents of the census-designated places (CDP) of Waimalu and Hālawa use Aiea in their postal address.
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