How to Select a Veterinary Technician Training near Palos Hills Illinois
Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet college near Palos Hills IL could initially seem like a challenging endeavor. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a school that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you go about evaluating and contrasting schools so that you can make the ideal choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. When they have identified some area colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the different roles of veterinary techs and assistants and the training alternatives available.
The Job of a Veterinary Assistant and Tech
Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish 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 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 practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Palos Hills IL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. 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 requirements for each position.
- Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college near Palos Hills IL. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
- Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast 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 fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years to complete. Therefore the only real 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, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Palos Hills IL area research facilities also.
Online Vet Training Programs
An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Palos Hills IL veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet technician or assistant school may be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Schools
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in Illinois as well as across the United States, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the Palos Hills IL veterinary assistant and technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet assistant or technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for many Palos Hills IL veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Illinois school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Palos Hills IL vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet assistant or tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with regional veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local Palos Hills IL veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet assistant or technician school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the Palos Hills IL program has an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Palos Hills IL schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going 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 investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the Palos Hills IL campus is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the Illinois vet programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered near Palos Hills IL prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Vet Tech?
When getting ready to interview for a veterinary position, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask veterinary candidates is "What compelled you to choose veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being a vet assistant, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should ready some ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to 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 outstanding vet tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.Pick the Right Veterinary Technician School near Palos Hills IL
Selecting the right veterinary assistant or tech school is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students thinking about veterinary assistant or tech colleges need to make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary assistants, techs and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist in Palos Hills IL.
A Little Bit About Palos Hills IL
Palos Hills, Illinois
Palos Hills is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is a southwest suburb of Chicago. The population was 17,484 at the 2010 census.[3] It is the home of Moraine Valley Community College as well as Amos Alonzo Stagg High School.
According to the 2010 census, Palos Hills has a total area of 4.292 square miles (11.12 km2), of which 4.25 square miles (11.01 km2) (or 99.02%) is land and 0.042 square miles (0.11 km2) (or 0.98%) is water.[5]
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 17,665 people, 7,320 households, and 4,772 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,239.7 people per square mile (1,635.6/km²). There were 7,492 housing units at an average density of 1,798.1 per square mile (693.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.18% White, 5.48% African American, 0.11% Native American, 2.67% Asian, 1.11% Pacific Islander, 1.57% from other races, and 2.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.83% of the population.
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