Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Marysville WA

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near Marysville Washington

Marysville WA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Marysville WA might at first seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the ideal selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. Once they have located some area colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when assessing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Marysville WA

cat with cone after surgery in Marysville WA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Marysville WA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing 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 performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced 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 sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four 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, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Marysville

student attending online vet tech school in Marysville WA An option that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Marysville WA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for travel and study materials, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Marysville WA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Marysville WA vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Marysville WA area and across the United States, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review 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 programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Marysville WA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Washington school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Marysville WA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Marysville WA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Marysville WA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Marysville WA programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Marysville WA home, you have to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you find out if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Marysville WA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family issues. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Marysville WA?

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

Marysville, Washington

Marysville is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States, part of the Seattle metropolitan area. The city is located 35 miles (56 km) north of Seattle, adjacent to Everett on the north side of the Snohomish River delta. It is the second-largest city in Snohomish County after Everett, with a population of 60,020 in the 2010 U.S. census. As of 2015[update], Marysville is also the fastest-growing city in Washington state, growing at an annual rate of 2.5 percent.

Marysville was established in 1872 as a trading post by James P. Comeford, but was not populated by other settlers until 1883. After the town was platted in 1885, a period of growth brought new buildings and industries to Marysville. In 1891, Marysville was incorporated and welcomed the completed Great Northern Railway. Historically, the area has subsisted on lumber and agrarian products; the growth of strawberry fields in Marysville led to the city being nicknamed the "Strawberry City" in the 1920s.

The city experienced its first wave of suburbanization in the 1970s and 1980s, resulting in the development of new housing and commercial areas. Between 1980 and 2000, the population of Marysville increased five-fold. In the early 2000s, annexations of unincorporated areas to the north and east expanded the city to over 20 square miles (52 km2) and brought the population over 60,000.

Select the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Marysville WA

Marysville WA vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided 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 selecting the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Marysville WA.