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How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Hammond Indiana

Hammond IN vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Hammond IN might at first feel like a challenging task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant concerns when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Hammond IN

cat with cone after surgery in Hammond IN Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Hammond IN veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. 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 involved with more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical functions 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 with assistants and typically obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. 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 job options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet technicians 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 Hammond IN labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Hammond

student attending online vet tech school in Hammond IN An option that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. 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 usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Hammond IN veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for travel and study materials, can be lower 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 agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Hammond IN Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Hammond IN vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Hammond IN area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a program 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 veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Hammond IN area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Indiana school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Hammond IN veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Hammond IN veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Hammond IN vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Hammond IN colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Hammond IN home, you need to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you find out if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Hammond IN. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online college is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Hammond IN?

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

Hammond, Indiana

Hammond (/ˈhæmənd/) is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. First settled in the mid-19th century, it is one of the oldest cities of northern Lake County. As of the 2010 United States census, it is also the largest in population: the 2010 population was 80,830, replacing Gary as the most populous city in Lake County. From north to south, Hammond runs from Lake Michigan down to the Little Calumet River; from east to west along its southern border, it runs from the Illinois state line to Cline Avenue. The city is traversed by numerous railroads and expressways, including the South Shore Line, Borman Expressway, and Indiana Toll Road.

Notable local landmarks include the parkland around Wolf Lake and the Horseshoe Hammond riverboat casino. Part of the Rust Belt, Hammond has been industrial almost from its inception, but is also home to a Purdue University campus and numerous historic districts that showcase the residential and commercial architecture of the early 20th century.

The city's elevation above sea level ranges from 577 feet (176 m) to 610 feet (186 m). The city sits within the boundaries of the former Lake Chicago, and much of its land area consists of former dune and swale terrain that was subsequently leveled. Most of the city is on sandy soil with a layer of black topsoil that varies from non-existent to several feet (a meter or more) thick. Much of the exposed sand was removed for purposes such as industrial use to make concrete and glass. According to the 2010 census, Hammond has a total area of 24.886 square miles (64.45 km2), of which 22.78 square miles (59.00 km2) (or 91.54%) is land and 2.106 square miles (5.45 km2) (or 8.46%) is water.[11]

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician School near Hammond IN

Hammond IN vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech program is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students considering vet tech programs need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. 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 choices so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Hammond IN.