How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Training near Grayslake Illinois
Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinarian school near Grayslake IL may at first feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. Once they have found some local schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the different duties of veterinary techs and assistants and the training options offered.
The Responsibilities of a Vet Technician and Assistant
Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many tasks that they can carry out within the Grayslake IL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. 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, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college near Grayslake IL. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
- Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and generally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Grayslake IL area research facilities as well.
Online Vet Programs
An approach that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Grayslake IL veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet technician or assistant school may be the perfect choice for you.
Questions to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technician Schools
By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian certificate or degree that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Illinois and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the Grayslake IL veterinary technician and assistant schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician or assistant college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Grayslake IL veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Illinois school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Grayslake IL veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain 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 practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local Grayslake IL veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary tech or assistant school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the Grayslake IL school has an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Grayslake IL schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. 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 methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from work or home, you need to 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 Grayslake IL school is located near or in 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 community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the Illinois veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available near Grayslake IL before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.
Why Did You Want to Be a Vet Tech?
When getting ready to interview for a veterinary position, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask veterinary prospects is "What drove you to select veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being a vet assistant, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to veterinary care, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must ready some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing 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 candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.Pick the Right Vet Technician Training Program near Grayslake IL
Picking the appropriate vet technician college is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Potential students thinking about veterinary tech or assistant colleges need to make their selection based on multiple key issues. Vet techs, assistants and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and support 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 field. This goes for 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 options so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist in Grayslake IL.
A Little Bit About Grayslake IL
Grayslake, Illinois
Grayslake is a village in Lake County in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is located in the Chicago metropolitan area, about 40 miles (64 km) north of Chicago's downtown, 14 miles (23 km) west of Lake Michigan, and 15 miles (24 km) south of the Wisconsin border. The village's population at the 2010 census was 20,957.[4]
Grayslake is home to the College of Lake County, Grayslake North High School, Grayslake Central High School, the University Center of Lake County and the Lake County Fairgrounds. There are tentative plans to develop a lifestyle shopping center on the previous location of the Lake County Fairgrounds.[5] At the south end of Grayslake, there are plans for a 640-acre (260 ha) development containing light industry, office space and residential space.[citation needed]
In 1880, the Wisconsin Central Railroad built a line from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to Chicago which passed by the east side of Grays Lake. In 1886, the railroad built a station there, naming it Grayslake. The village incorporated in 1895.[1]
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