How to Find the Right Vet Tech School near Glen Ellyn Illinois
Realizing your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet school near Glen Ellyn IL might at first feel like a daunting endeavor. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. When they have identified some local schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the various responsibilities of veterinary assistants and techs and the training alternatives available.
The Job of a Veterinary Technician and Assistant
Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous tasks that they can carry out within the Glen Ellyn IL veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the standard vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialty.
- Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone 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 trade school or community college near Glen Ellyn IL. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
- Vet Technicians get more extensive training in contrast to assistants and usually earn 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 basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Glen Ellyn IL area research facilities also.
Online Vet Programs
An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Glen Ellyn IL veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, such as for travel and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined 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 Technician Programs
By now you probably have selected which veterinarian certificate or degree that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in Illinois and across the USA, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the Glen Ellyn IL veterinary assistant and tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary assistant or tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier 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 demanding screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Glen Ellyn IL vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the vet 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 tips include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Illinois school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Glen Ellyn IL vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get practical hands on experience as a vet assistant or technician is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with area veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local Glen Ellyn IL vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet assistant or tech program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the Glen Ellyn IL program has an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian 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 Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Glen Ellyn IL colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from work or home, you have to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the Glen Ellyn IL 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 particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the Illinois veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available near Glen Ellyn IL prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet training into your active life.
Why Did You Choose to Be a Veterinary Technician?
When preparing to interview for a veterinary job, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask veterinary applicants is "What made you choose veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming a vet assistant, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to veterinary care, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare some approaches about how you want to address them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding vet tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.Select the Ideal Veterinary Tech Program near Glen Ellyn IL
Selecting the right vet technician program is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary tech or assistant colleges must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary assistants, techs and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet technician, assistant or technologist in Glen Ellyn IL.
A Little Bit About Glen Ellyn IL
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Glen Ellyn is an affluent, suburban village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the village population was 27,450.[4]
The first landowner in Glen Ellyn was Deacon Winslow Churchill. He and his family moved to Glen Ellyn from New York in 1834. Other newcomers to the area built town necessities such as a tavern and school.[5]
Moses Stacy, a soldier in the War of 1812, arrived here in 1835. His inn, Stacy's Tavern, built in 1846 and his second home, was a halfway stop between Chicago and the Fox River Valley and a probable stop for Galena, Illinois stagecoaches on their way to Rockford, Illinois. Stacy's Tavern, now a historical monument, stands at what is now the intersection of Geneva Road and Main Street.[6]
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