How to Select a Veterinary Assistant Training near Staunton Illinois
Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinarian school near Staunton IL could initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you go about evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. When they have found some local colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are looking at before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the various roles of veterinary assistants and techs and the training options available.
The Job of a Vet Tech and Assistant
Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many jobs that they can perform within the Staunton IL veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements 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 vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college near Staunton 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 involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
- Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with 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 counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So 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 options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Staunton IL area research facilities as well.
Online Veterinary Schools
An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at an area Staunton IL veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for commuting and study materials, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician or assistant program may be the perfect choice for you.
Things to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technologist Programs
At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in Illinois as well as across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the Staunton IL veterinary assistant and technician colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech or assistant program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, 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 an extensive review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Staunton IL vet practices and hospitals.
What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Illinois school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Staunton IL veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet assistant or technician is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with local veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local Staunton IL veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary assistant or tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate might indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the Staunton IL school has an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Staunton IL colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from work or home, you must make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the Staunton IL college is located in or close by a larger 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 increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you determine if the Illinois veterinary colleges you are looking at 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 in the evenings. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered near Staunton IL prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.
Why Did You Decide to Become a Veterinary Technician?
When preparing to interview for a veterinary job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask veterinary prospects is "What drove you to choose veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for being a veterinary technician, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to veterinary care, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent vet tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.Pick the Best Vet Tech School near Staunton IL
Selecting the ideal veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students considering veterinary assistant or tech schools need to make their determination based on a number of key issues. Vet techs, assistants and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, tech or technologist in Staunton IL.
A Little Bit About Staunton IL
Staunton, Illinois
Staunton is the second largest city in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 5,139.
A man named Stanton bought land in the area, and then decided to move on and gave the land to the village for a square. At the meeting to discuss the post office someone suggested they name the village Stanton, a nod to Mr. Stanton. The suggestion was accepted and the application for a post office at Stanton went off to Washington, D.C. There the clerk who handled the request must have thought those westerners couldn't spell. The grant came back with the name spelled S-t-a-u-n-t-o-n, which is the name of a town in the Appalachian region of Virginia. It would take time and effort to have the error corrected, and little attention seemed to be given to the discrepancy.. Staunton, Virginia was and still is pronounced "Stanton". And so it was in Staunton, Illinois for many years. Some say that the people here began saying Staunton as we do today only after their throats were so full of coal dirt that they could no longer say Stanton. (Source 1)
The last coal mine in Staunton closed down in 1951.
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