How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near Winnetka Illinois
Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary school near Winnetka IL may at first seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you approach assessing and contrasting programs so that you can make the right selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have located some area colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied roles of veterinary assistants and techs and the training alternatives offered.
The Function of a Veterinary Assistant and Technician
Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many functions that they can perform within the Winnetka IL veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college near Winnetka IL. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
- Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Winnetka IL area research facilities as well.
Online Vet Courses
An alternative that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at an area Winnetka IL veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for travel and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. 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 perfect choice for you.
What to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technician Degree Programs
By now you should have decided on which veterinary certificate or degree that you would like to attain, 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 United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the Winnetka IL veterinary assistant and tech colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary tech or assistant school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, 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 a rigorous screening process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Winnetka IL vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Illinois school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Winnetka IL vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet assistant or technician is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with regional veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish 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 Winnetka IL vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet technician or assistant school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate could signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the Winnetka IL school has an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Winnetka IL schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary tech classes from home or work, you need to make sure 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, particularly if the Winnetka IL campus is located in or near 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 charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the Illinois veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, 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 later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered near Winnetka IL before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.
Why Did You Want to Become a Veterinary Technician?
When preparing to interview for a veterinary position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask veterinary prospects is "What made you choose veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you might have for being a vet tech, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to veterinary care, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize some ideas about how you want to answer them. Considering there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional vet tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.Pick the Best Veterinary Assistant Training Program near Winnetka IL
Choosing the ideal veterinary assistant or tech college is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet assistant or tech colleges must make their decision based on several key issues. Vet techs, assistants and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, tech or technologist in Winnetka IL.
A Little Bit About Winnetka IL
Winnetka, Illinois
Winnetka (/wɪˈnɛtkə/) is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States, located 16 miles north of downtown Chicago. The population was 12,187 at the 2010 census. The village is one of the wealthiest places in the nation in terms of household income, and the richest in Illinois.[4]
Winnetka is located at 42°6′22″N 87°44′16″W / 42.10611°N 87.73778°W / 42.10611; -87.73778 (42.106227, −87.73801).[5] Winnetka is located 650 feet (200 m) above sea level and has a magnetic declination of 3° 10' W. According to the 2010 census, Winnetka has a total area of 3.893 square miles (10.08 km2), of which 3.81 square miles (9.87 km2) (or 97.87%) is land and 0.083 square miles (0.21 km2) (or 2.13%) is water.[6]
As of the census[8] of 2010, there were 12,187 people, 4,102 households, and 3,328 families residing in the village. The racial makeup of the village was 94.8% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Native American, 3.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.
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