Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Cedar Lake MI

How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Cedar Lake Michigan

Cedar Lake MI vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Cedar Lake MI may initially seem like a challenging task. 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 tech. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. Once they have identified some area schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. 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 vet technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate selection. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Cedar Lake MI

cat with cone after surgery in Cedar Lake MI One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many duties that they can perform within the Cedar Lake MI veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone 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. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and normally obtain 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 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 tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years. So the main 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, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Cedar Lake MI labs or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Cedar Lake

student attending online vet tech school in Cedar Lake MI An option that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Cedar Lake MI veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Cedar Lake MI Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Cedar Lake MI vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Cedar Lake MI area as well as across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Cedar Lake MI area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college 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 testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Michigan school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Cedar Lake MI veterinarians that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Cedar Lake MI veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate might indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Cedar Lake MI veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Cedar Lake MI schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding 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? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Cedar Lake MI home, you have to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Cedar Lake MI. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Cedar Lake MI?

If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Cedar Lake Michigan area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.

Cedar Lake, Indiana

Cedar Lake is a town in Hanover and Center townships, Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 11,560 at the 2010 census. The town is known for Cedar Lake (formerly Lake of the Red Cedars, Armour).

Cedar Lake was settled by pioneers in the mid-19th century and was originally named West Point; the name “Cedar Lake” belonged to a nearby town that is now called Creston, Indiana.[7] In 1839, the town that was then called West Point competed with the settlements of Liverpool and Lake Court House (later called Crown Point) to be the county seat of Lake County, but lost out to Liverpool.[7] By 1870, the Cedar Lake Post Office was established, giving the area a new name. After the Monon Railroad came to the lake's western shore in 1882, many new residents flocked to the area along with tourists who saw the lake as a resort destination. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, Cedar Lake was a popular place for Chicagoans looking for a retreat from the city. The lake had over 50 hotels at the time and several pavilions and ballrooms that brought many well-known bands to entertain the visitors.[8]

According to the 2010 census, Cedar Lake has a total area of 9.61 square miles (24.89 km2), of which 8.22 square miles (21.29 km2) (or 85.54%) is land and 1.39 square miles (3.60 km2) (or 14.46%) is water.[11] The lake, which is the largest natural lake in northwest Indiana, appears to have formed from glacial meltwaters. There is an abundance of hills around the lake, which are evidence of the Valparaiso Moraine running through the area.

Pick the Right Veterinary Technician School near Cedar Lake MI

Cedar Lake MI vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician school is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician programs must make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as 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 field. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the right college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Cedar Lake MI.