How to Select a Vet Tech School near Long Grove Illinois
Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary college near Long Grove IL might initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to 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 approach evaluating and contrasting schools so that you can make the right choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. When they have located some local colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important factors when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the varied duties of veterinary assistants and techs and the training options available.
The Function of a Vet Tech and Assistant
Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Long Grove IL veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.
- Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college near Long Grove IL. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
- Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Long Grove IL area research facilities as well.
Veterinarian Online Schools
An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Long Grove IL veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. 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 mode, an online veterinary technician or assistant program may be the perfect option for you.
Things to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Tech Colleges
By now you should have decided on which veterinary credential that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in Illinois as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the Long Grove IL vet technician and assistant programs that you are looking at.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary assistant or technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among 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 review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Long Grove IL vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Illinois school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Long Grove IL veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet assistant or technician is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with regional veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local Long Grove IL vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary tech or assistant school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate could suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the Long Grove IL college has an excellent reputation within the vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean 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 sized, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Long Grove IL schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from work or home, you need to make sure 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 Long Grove IL school is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you determine if the Illinois vet schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working 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 in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available near Long Grove IL before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet education into your active life.
Why Did You Want to Become a Veterinary Technician?
When preparing to interview for a veterinary job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask veterinary candidates is "What made you pick veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being a vet tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to veterinary care, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent vet tech and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.Select the Best Vet Tech School near Long Grove IL
Picking the appropriate vet technician college is an important first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Potential students considering vet tech or assistant colleges need to make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary assistants, techs and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet assistant, technician or technologist in Long Grove IL.
A Little Bit About Long Grove IL
Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Elk Grove Village is a village located in northeastern Illinois adjacent to O'Hare International Airport and is a near northwest suburb, touching the city of Chicago. It is one of the Chicago metropolitan area's principal villages due to its large industrial park, located on the eastern border of the village. The village is located primarily in Cook County with a small portion in DuPage County. The population was 33,127 at the 2010 census.[3] As the name suggests, Elk Grove Village is home to a small herd of elk kept in a grove at the eastern edge of the Busse Woods forest preserve for which the grove is named. Elk are not native to the area but were brought by train from Montana by an early resident, William Busse, in the 1920s.[citation needed] The elk are currently maintained by the Chicago Zoological Society veterinary staff and the Busse Woods Forest Preserve wildlife biologists.[4]
Elk Grove Village is home to the largest industrial park in North America.[5] Over 3,600 businesses are located in its 5.4-square-mile (14 km2) business park adjacent to O'Hare International Airport. The community is served by several Interstate highways including I-90, I-290/I-355/Route 53 combination, and the Elgin–O'Hare Expressway.
Elk Grove Village is also home to Alexian Brothers Medical Center (ABMC) hospital, which is the largest employer in the community with over 2,200 workers. There are a number of other well-known corporations including Apple Vacations, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Illinois Tool Works (ITW), ADP, CitiGroup, Symons, and Pepsi Cola Distribution. The headquarters of United Airlines were in the unincorporated area of Elk Grove Township until it moved to downtown Chicago; the Elk Grove office is still in use as United's Operations Center.
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