How to Find the Right Veterinary Assistant School near Godfrey Illinois
Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinarian college near Godfrey IL might initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you tackle evaluating and comparing programs so that you can make the best choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. After they have located some local schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers 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 looking at before you make a final decision. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the different responsibilities of veterinary techs and assistants and the training alternatives offered.
The Role of a Veterinary Technician and Assistant
Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Godfrey IL veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each position.
- Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Godfrey IL. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians get more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years. So the main 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 possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Godfrey IL area research facilities as well.
Veterinarian Online Degree Programs
An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at an area Godfrey IL veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for commuting and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet technician or assistant program may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Tech Degree Programs
At this point you should have determined which veterinarian certificate or degree that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Illinois as well as across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the Godfrey IL veterinary assistant and tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet technician or assistant college you choose 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 rigorous review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for a number of Godfrey IL vet practices and hospitals.
What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Illinois school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Godfrey IL veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech or assistant is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with local veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local Godfrey IL veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician or assistant program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate could signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the Godfrey IL school has an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Godfrey IL schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback 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 School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet technician classes from home or work, you have to make sure that the driving time is compatible with 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 Godfrey IL school is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the Illinois veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered near Godfrey IL prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.
Why Did You Choose to Become a Vet Tech?
When preparing to interview for a veterinary position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask veterinary applicants is "What drove you to decide on veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming a veterinary technician, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to veterinary care, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare some approaches about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional vet tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.Enroll in the Ideal Vet Technician School near Godfrey IL
Choosing the right vet technician college is an important first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into veterinary tech or assistant programs need to make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary techs, assistants and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, tech or technologist in Godfrey IL.
A Little Bit About Godfrey IL
Godfrey, Illinois
Godfrey is a village in Madison County, Illinois, United States. The population was 17,982 at the 2010 census.[3] Godfrey is located within the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area.
Godfrey is located at 38°56′53″N 90°12′10″W / 38.94806°N 90.20278°W / 38.94806; -90.20278 (38.948097, -90.202886).[4]
According to the 2010 census, Godfrey has a total area of 36.638 square miles (94.89 km2), of which 34.64 square miles (89.72 km2) (or 94.55%) is land and 1.998 square miles (5.17 km2) (or 5.45%) is water.[5]
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