How to Pick a Vet Tech School near Bellingham Washington

Achieving your long term goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Bellingham WA might at first feel like a challenging task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. When they have found some area colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when comparing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the various roles of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Bellingham WA 

Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many jobs that they can carry out within the Bellingham WA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental 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 complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Bellingham WA laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Bellingham

An alternative that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Bellingham WA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for example for travel and study materials, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Bellingham WA Veterinary Technician Programs

At this point you should have selected which veterinary 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 vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Bellingham WA area and across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, 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 rigorous review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Bellingham WA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Washington school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Bellingham WA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Bellingham WA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations 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 program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed 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 could indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Bellingham WA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Bellingham WA programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Bellingham WA home, you have to make certain 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, especially if the school is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Bellingham WA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Bellingham WA?

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

Choose the Right Veterinary Technician College near Bellingham WA

Picking the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students looking into vet tech schools need to make their determination based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Bellingham WA.

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