How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near Bolingbrook Illinois
Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet college near Bolingbrook IL may initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a school that will provide the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you go about reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. Once they have located some local schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are looking at before you make a final selection. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the various roles of veterinary techs and assistants and the training options available.
The Role of a Vet Tech and Assistant
One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many jobs that they can carry out within the Bolingbrook IL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialty.
- Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college near Bolingbrook IL. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
- Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Veterinary techs 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 laboratories or Bolingbrook IL area research facilities as well.
Veterinary Online Training Classes
An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at an area Bolingbrook IL veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for traveling and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm 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 complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech or assistant program may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Vet Assistant and Tech Schools
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary certificate or degree that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Illinois as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the Bolingbrook IL vet assistant and technician programs that you are considering.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet assistant or tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. 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 gone through a demanding screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Bolingbrook IL veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting 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 specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Bolingbrook IL veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with area veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many 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 develop connections in the local Bolingbrook IL vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech or assistant college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate may suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the Bolingbrook IL school has an exceptional reputation within the vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not well regarded 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 most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Bolingbrook IL schools you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from home or work, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the Bolingbrook IL campus is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course 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 finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the Illinois veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available near Bolingbrook IL before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.
Why Did You Decide to Become a Vet Technician?
When getting ready to interview for a veterinary position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask veterinary candidates is "What made you pick veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for being a vet tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to veterinary care, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding vet tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.Enroll in the Right Veterinary Technologist Program near Bolingbrook IL
Picking the right vet technician program is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary assistant or tech colleges must make their determination based on multiple key issues. Vet techs, assistants and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online 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 program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet assistant, technician or technologist in Bolingbrook IL.
A Little Bit About Bolingbrook IL
Bolingbrook, Illinois
The village of Bolingbrook is a southwest suburb of Chicago that is partially in both Will and DuPage counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2010 US Census, the population is 73,367. It is the 17th largest incorporated place in Illinois and the state's 2nd largest village. As of 2017 the estimated population is 74,306.
According to the 2010 census Bolingbrook has a total area of 24.257 square miles (62.83 km2), of which 24.05 square miles (62.29 km2) (or 99.15%) is land and 0.207 square miles (0.54 km2) (or 0.85%) is water.[6]
Interstate 55, locally the Stevenson Expressway, runs through the southern part of the village heading northeast toward Chicago and southwest toward Plainfield and Joliet. Interstate 355, also known as the Veterans Memorial Tollway (formerly the North-South Tollway), runs along the far east side of the village between New Lenox and Addison. Illinois Route 53, locally known as Bolingbrook Drive, runs north–south through the middle of the village.
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