How to Select a Vet Assistant College near Collinsville Illinois
Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinarian school near Collinsville IL may initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a college that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you go about evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. Once they have identified some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied responsibilities of veterinary techs and assistants and the training options offered.
The Function of a Vet Technician and Assistant
Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary 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 direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many jobs that they can perform within the Collinsville IL veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Collinsville IL. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
- Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared with assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician 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 required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet 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 Collinsville IL area research facilities also.
Online Vet Courses
An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Collinsville IL veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for example for traveling and study materials, can be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet technician or assistant program may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Programs
By now you should have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in Illinois and across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need 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 Collinsville IL veterinary assistant and technician schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet assistant or technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that ensures 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 programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Collinsville IL vet practices and hospitals.
What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Illinois school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Collinsville IL vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech or assistant is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs established with area veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local Collinsville IL veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary assistant or technician school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the Collinsville IL college has an outstanding reputation within the vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Collinsville IL schools 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 observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary assistant classes from work or home, you must confirm that the commuting 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, particularly if the Collinsville IL college is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you find out if the Illinois vet colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered near Collinsville IL before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.
Why Did You Choose to Be a Vet Tech?
When getting ready to interview for a veterinary position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask veterinary candidates is "What drove you to decide on veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming a vet assistant, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to veterinary care, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize several strategies about how you would like to address them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding vet tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.Enroll in the Ideal Veterinary Technologist College near Collinsville IL
Picking the right veterinary assistant or tech college is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering vet assistant or tech programs need to make their determination based on multiple key factors. Vet assistants, techs and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet assistant, tech or technologist in Collinsville IL.
A Little Bit About Collinsville IL
Collinsville, Illinois
Collinsville is a city located mainly in Madison County, and partially in St. Clair County, both in Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 25,579, an increase from 24,707 in 2000. Collinsville is approximately 12 miles from St. Louis, Missouri[3] and is considered part of that city's Metro-East area.[4] It is the home of the Brooks Catsup Bottle Water Tower,[5] the world's largest ketchup bottle, and is the world's horseradish capital.[6]Monks Mound, the largest man-made earthwork in North America, and now part of the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, is located here.
Collinsville is located at 38°40′28″N 89°59′43″W / 38.67444°N 89.99528°W / 38.67444; -89.99528 (38.674398, -89.995402),[7] approximately 12 miles due east of St Louis.
According to the 2010 census, Collinsville has a total area of 14.874 square miles (38.52 km2), of which 14.68 square miles (38.02 km2) (or 98.7%) is land and 0.194 square miles (0.50 km2) (or 1.3%) is water.[8]
More Cities of Interest in Illinois