Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Cedar Lake IN

How to Pick a Vet Tech School near Cedar Lake Indiana

Cedar Lake IN vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Cedar Lake IN may at first seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a school that will furnish the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the best selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. After they have located some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important factors when evaluating vet technician schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Cedar Lake IN

cat with cone after surgery in Cedar Lake IN Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many tasks that they can perform within the Cedar Lake IN veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical veterinarian 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 gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion 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 duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Cedar Lake IN laboratories or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Cedar Lake

student attending online vet tech school in Cedar Lake IN An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Cedar Lake IN veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Cedar Lake IN Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Cedar Lake IN vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Cedar Lake IN area and across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for 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 program is often a precondition for employment for a number of Cedar Lake IN area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Indiana school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Cedar Lake IN veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Cedar Lake IN veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all 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 clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Cedar Lake IN veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Cedar Lake IN colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Cedar Lake IN home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with 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, particularly if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Cedar Lake IN. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Cedar Lake IN?

If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Cedar Lake Indiana 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.

Enroll in the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Cedar Lake IN

Cedar Lake IN vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate vet tech school is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Cedar Lake IN.