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How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Puyallup Washington

Puyallup WA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Puyallup WA could at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. After they have identified some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make a final decision. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Puyallup WA

cat with cone after surgery in Puyallup WA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Puyallup WA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Puyallup

student attending online vet tech school in Puyallup WA An option that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Puyallup WA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for commuting and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Puyallup WA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Puyallup WA vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Puyallup WA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. 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 gone through a thorough screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Puyallup WA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin 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 internet school rating 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 violations involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Puyallup WA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs established with Puyallup WA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Puyallup WA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Puyallup WA programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Puyallup WA home, you must make sure that the driving time fits into 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 college 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 increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you find out if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Puyallup WA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Puyallup WA?

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

Puyallup, Washington

Puyallup, Washington (/pjuːˈæləp/ (listen) pew-AL-əp or /pjuːˈɔːləp/ pew-AWL-əp) is a city in Pierce County, Washington, about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Tacoma[5] and 35 miles (56 km) south of Seattle.[6] The population was 37,022 at the 2010 Census and the Washington State Office of Financial Management estimated the 2014 population at 38,670. Named after the Puyallup Tribe of Native Americans, Puyallup means "the generous people". It is also home to the Washington State Fair, the state's main fair.

In 1833, The Puyallup Valley was a maze of creeks and old forest growth. It was subjected to frequent floods and massive log jams from the meandering river. The first white settlers were part of the first wagon train to cross the Cascades at Naches Pass in 1853.[7] Native Americans numbered about 2,000 in what is now the Puyallup Valley in the 1830s and 1840s. The first European settlers arrived in the 1850s. In 1877, Ezra Meeker platted a townsite and named it Puyallup after the local Puyallup Indian tribes. The town grew rapidly throughout the 1880s and was incorporated in 1890, the first mayor being Ezra Meeker. The turn of the 20th century brought change to the valley with the growth of nearby Tacoma and the interurban rail lines. The Western Washington Fairgrounds were developed giving local farmers a place to exhibit their crops and livestock. During the early part of World War II, the fairgrounds were part of Camp Harmony, a temporary Japanese American internment camp for more than 7,000 detainees, most of whom were American citizens. Subsequently, they were moved to the Minidoka relocation center near Twin Falls, Idaho.[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.04 square miles (36.36 km2), of which 13.93 square miles (36.08 km2) is land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km2) is water, mainly consisting of the Puyallup River estuary.[1]

Pick the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Puyallup WA

Puyallup WA vet tech holding dog Picking the right veterinary technician college is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students looking into vet tech programs must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities 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 excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Puyallup WA.