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How to Find the Right Vet Tech School near Duvall Washington

Duvall WA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Duvall WA could initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the ideal selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. Once they have identified some local colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the various roles of vet techs and the training options available.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Duvall WA

cat with cone after surgery in Duvall WA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many tasks that they can carry out within the Duvall WA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites 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 vet clinic or hospital, 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. Generally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years to complete. So 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 options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Duvall WA labs or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Duvall

student attending online vet tech school in Duvall WA An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Duvall WA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. 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 independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Duvall WA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Duvall WA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Duvall WA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary technician school 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). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for a number of Duvall WA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Washington school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Duvall WA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Duvall WA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Duvall WA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could 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 probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Duvall WA programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Duvall WA home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into 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 school is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Duvall WA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Duvall WA?

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

Duvall, Washington

The area that became known as Duvall was historically the home of the Snoqualmie and other ancestral Tulalip Native American tribes. Following their relocation under the Treaty of Point Elliott, the area was homesteaded by veterans of the Civil War.[7] The center of present-day town was located on a hillside homesteaded by Francis and James Duvall, loggers who arrived in 1871.[7]

An early milestone in the settlement of Duvall proper was the relocation of the town of Cherry Valley. Around 1909, the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad agreed to move Cherry Valley homes and businesses to Duvall in order to continue the construction of a railroad line along the Snoqualmie River.[7] The newly relocated town, briefly named Cosgrove after Samuel G. Cosgrove, underwent a real estate boom; streets and sidewalks were laid and a train depot was constructed.[7] This was followed by construction of a movie house, a drug store, a new schoolhouse, and several hotels.[7] By 1911, the Duvall Citizen began publishing regular editions of news events.[7][8]

On April 28, 1968, nearly 3,000 fans attended a rock concert at a farm in Duvall where an upright piano was dropped from a helicopter. Performances included Country Joe and the Fish. This concert is well-known to locals as the Piano Drop. This event inspired the Sky River Rock Festival which occurred later that year.[9]

Select the Best Vet Tech School near Duvall WA

Duvall WA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech college is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet tech programs need to make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and support 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 outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Duvall WA.