How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near Oak Park Illinois
Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet college near Oak Park IL may initially feel like a daunting endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will provide the necessary training so that you can be successful as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you tackle analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. Once they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the varied duties of vet assistants and techs and the training options offered.
The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Assistant and Tech
One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to 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 all work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Oak Park IL veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialty.
- Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college near Oak Park IL. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and generally acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Oak Park IL area research facilities as well.
Online Vet Schools
An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Oak Park IL veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet technician or assistant program may be the perfect choice for you.
Questions to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technician Colleges
At this point you should have determined which veterinarian credential 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 United States, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a college 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 Oak Park IL veterinary assistant and tech colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary assistant or technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Oak Park IL veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school 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 reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online 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 involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Oak Park IL vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech or assistant is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with local veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local Oak Park 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 tech 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 programs you are evaluating. A low rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the Oak Park IL program has an excellent reputation within the vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Oak Park IL schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to 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 Campus Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet assistant classes from home or work, 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the Oak Park IL school is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the Illinois veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available near Oak Park 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 find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.
Why Did You Decide to Be a Veterinary Technician?
When getting ready to interview for a veterinary position, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask veterinary candidates is "What made you decide on veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming a veterinary technician, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to veterinary care, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an exceptional vet tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.Choose the Right Veterinary Technician School near Oak Park IL
Picking the ideal vet technician program is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students considering veterinary tech or assistant schools need to make their decision based on several key factors. Vet techs, assistants and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for 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 options so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the ideal program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet technician, assistant or technologist in Oak Park IL.
A Little Bit About Oak Park IL
Oak Park, Illinois
Oak Park is a village adjacent to the West Side of the city of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is the 29th largest municipality in Illinois as measured by population in the 2010 US Census,[3] and has easy access to downtown Chicago (the Chicago Loop) via public transportation including the CTA Blue and Green lines, buses, and Metra commuter rail. Pace buses serve the Village for travel within its borders and connecting to neighboring suburbs. As of the 2010 United States Census the Village had a total population of 51,878.[4]
Oak Park was settled beginning in the 1830s, with rapid growth later in the 19th century and early 20th century. It incorporated in 1902, breaking off from Cicero. Development was spurred by railroads and street cars connecting the village to jobs in Chicago. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright and his wife settled here in 1889. Population peaked at 66,015 in 1940. Smaller families led to falling population in the same number of homes and apartments. In the 1960s, Oak Park faced the challenge of racial integration, devising many strategies to integrate rather than re-segregate the village. Oak Park includes three historic districts for the historic homes: Ridgeland, Frank Lloyd Wright and Seward Gunderson, reflecting the focus on historic preservation. Several notable people were born here, or lived here while building their own families and careers, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Ernest Hemingway, Ray Kroc, Bob Newhart, Betty White, Dan Castellaneta and Tavi Gevinson.
In 1835, Joseph Kettlestrings, an immigrant from England, purchased 172 acres (70 ha)[5] of land just west of Chicago for a farm and their home. Once their children were born, they moved to Chicago for the schools in 1843, and moved back again in 1855 to build a more substantial home a bit east on their quarter section of land. More farmers and settlers had entered the area. Their land was called by several names locally, including Oak Ridge. When the first post office was set up, it could not use the name Oak Ridge as another post office was using that name in Illinois, so the post office chose Oak Park, and that name became the name for the settlement as it grew, and for the town when it incorporated in 1902.[5]
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