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How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Kent Washington

Kent WA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Kent WA might at first seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. After they have found some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant factors when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are considering before you make a final choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Kent WA

cat with cone after surgery in Kent WA Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can perform within the Kent WA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, 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 vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and typically obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. Therefore 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 opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Kent

student attending online vet tech school in Kent WA An option that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Kent WA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Kent WA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Kent WA vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Kent WA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. 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 important that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among 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 obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Kent WA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Washington school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Kent WA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Kent WA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult 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 signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Kent WA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Kent WA colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously 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 Kent WA home, you have to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do choose 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 online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Kent WA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Kent WA?

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

Kent, Washington

Kent is a city located in King County, Washington, United States. It is the sixth largest city in the state. Kent is in the heart of the Seattle–Tacoma metropolitan area, located 19 miles south of Seattle and 19 miles northeast of Tacoma. Incorporated in 1890, it is the second oldest incorporated city in King County, after Seattle.[5] Kent's population as of April 2010 was 92,411 according to the 2010 census. The total grew to an estimated 126,952 as of July 1, 2015,[6] owing primarily to annexation.

The Kent area was first permanently settled by European Americans in the early to mid-1850's along the banks of what was then the White River. The first settler was Samuel Russell, who sailed the White and Duamish rivers until he claimed a plot of land southeast of modern-day downtown Kent in the spring of 1853. Russell was followed by several other settlers who quickly staked claims in the area.[7] The settlements were originally known as "White River" and later the town was called "Titusville" after an early settler by the name of James Henry Titus.[8] (There is still a "Titusville Station" sign on Gowe Street near First Avenue). In 1861 a post office was established under the name White River and was located at the farm of David and Irena Neely who settled in modern-day Kent in 1854. In 1855 their farm was attacked by Native Americans when David Neely served as a lieutenant in the Territorial Army. By 1870 the population was 277 and all of the quality bottom-land had been claimed.[9]

Throughout the 1860s and 70's, grain and forage crops such as wheat, barley, oats, hay, and timothy accounted for much of the annual return of farmers in the valley. During the late 1870s the town discovered hops production as a major source of income.[10] Due to an aphid invasion which affected hops crops in Europe,[11] hops from the Puget Sound area began to command high prices. Hops were shipped from Titusville either by the river or via rail. In 1889 the town was renamed for the County of Kent, the major hops-producing region in England. Hops production in the White River valley came to an end soon after its own invasion of aphids in 1891.[12]

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician School near Kent WA

Kent WA vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician program is an important first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering vet tech schools must make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, 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 programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Kent WA.