How to Pick a Vet Assistant School near Montgomery Illinois
Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary school near Montgomery IL might initially seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the best selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. Once they have located some local schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are considering before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the varied duties of vet assistants and techs and the training options available.
The Job of a Veterinary Technician and Assistant
Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant 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 principal determiner will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many tasks that they can perform within the Montgomery IL veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialty.
- Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school near Montgomery IL. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
- Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Montgomery IL area research facilities as well.
Vet Online Schools
An option that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Montgomery IL veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for commuting and study materials, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech or assistant program may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Degree Programs
By now you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Illinois as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the Montgomery IL veterinary assistant and technician programs that you are considering.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary assistant or tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Montgomery IL vet practices and hospitals.
What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on 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 infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Montgomery IL vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet assistant or technician is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with local veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local Montgomery IL veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet assistant or technician college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the Montgomery IL school has an outstanding reputation within the vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Montgomery IL schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet technician classes from home or work, you have to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the Montgomery IL college is located near or in 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 higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you determine if the Illinois veterinary programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit 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. Make certain that the class times you need are offered near Montgomery IL before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.
Why Did You Want to Become a Veterinary Technician?
When getting ready to interview for a veterinary job, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask veterinary prospects is "What compelled you to decide on veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being a veterinary technician, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to veterinary care, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should ready a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional vet tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.Select the Best Veterinary Assistant Degree Program near Montgomery IL
Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about vet tech or assistant schools must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary techs, assistants and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist in Montgomery IL.
A Little Bit About Montgomery IL
Montgomery, Illinois
Montgomery is a village in Kane and Kendall counties, Illinois. The population was 5,471 at the 2000 census, while the 2010 census lists Montgomery's population at 18,438. This is a 237 percent increase from 2000, making Montgomery the 9th fastest growing municipality in Illinois during this period.
According to the 2010 census, Montgomery has a total area of 9.512 square miles (24.64 km2), of which 9.34 square miles (24.19 km2) (or 98.19%) is land and 0.172 square miles (0.45 km2) (or 1.81%) is water.[4]
The first European settler arriving in the area was Jacob Carpenter, who came to the Chicago area from Logan County, Ohio in November 1832. In the fall of 1835, Daniel S. Gray, from Montgomery County, New York, visited the area where his brother Nicholas Gray had located in the previous spring, on a farm now within the limits of Kendall County. He made immediate preparations to settle there, and in the fall of 1836, after his family moved from New York state, he built the first wooden house in the area. It was located in the southern part of what is now Montgomery, near the west bank of the Fox River.
More Cities of Interest in Illinois