Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools East Olympia WA

How to Select a Vet Tech School near East Olympia Washington

East Olympia WA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near East Olympia WA may initially seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the ideal choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. Once they have located some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when evaluating vet technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in East Olympia WA

cat with cone after surgery in East Olympia WA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of duties that they can perform within the East Olympia WA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and normally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in East Olympia WA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in East Olympia

student attending online vet tech school in East Olympia WA An option that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local East Olympia WA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for traveling and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask East Olympia WA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask East Olympia WA vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the East Olympia WA area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech college 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 undergone a demanding screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of East Olympia WA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Washington school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some East Olympia WA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with East Olympia WA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the East Olympia WA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the East Olympia WA schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your East Olympia WA home, you have to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near East Olympia WA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family issues. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near East Olympia WA?

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

Olympia, Washington

Olympia is the capital of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County.[6] European settlers claimed the area in 1846, with the Treaty of Medicine Creek initiated in 1854, and the Treaty of Olympia initiated in January 1856.[7]

Olympia was incorporated as a town on January 28, 1859, and as a City in 1882.[8] The population was 46,479 as of the 2010 census, making it the 24th largest city in the state. The city borders Lacey to the east and Tumwater to the south. Olympia is a cultural center of the southern Puget Sound region. Olympia is located 60 miles (100 km) southwest of Seattle, the largest city in the state of Washington.

The site of Olympia has been home to Lushootseed-speaking peoples known as the Steh-Chass (or Stehchass; who became part of the post-treaty Squaxin Island Tribe) for thousands of years. Other Native Americans regularly visited the head of Budd Inlet and the Steh-Chass including the other ancestor tribes of the Squaxin, as well as the Nisqually, Puyallup, Chehalis, Suquamish, and Duwamish. The first recorded Europeans came to Olympia in 1792. Peter Puget and a crew from the British Vancouver Expedition are said to have explored the site, but neither recorded any encounters with the resident Indigenous population here. In 1846, Edmund Sylvester and Levi Smith jointly claimed the land that now comprises downtown Olympia. In 1851, the U.S. Congress established the Customs District of Puget Sound for Washington Territory and Olympia became the home of the customs house. Its population steadily expanded from Oregon Trail immigrants. In 1850, the town settled on the name Olympia, at the suggestion of local resident Colonel Isaac N. Ebey,[9] due to its view of the Olympic Mountains to the Northwest. The area began to be served by a small fleet of steamboats known as the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet.

Choose the Right Vet Tech Program near East Olympia WA

East Olympia WA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician colleges must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in East Olympia WA.