Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Ravensdale WA

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Ravensdale Washington

Ravensdale WA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Ravensdale WA might initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a program that will provide the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the best selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. Once they have found some area colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Ravensdale WA

cat with cone after surgery in Ravensdale WA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Ravensdale WA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, 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 techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years. 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 opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Ravensdale WA labs or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Ravensdale

student attending online vet tech school in Ravensdale WA An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Ravensdale WA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for traveling and study supplies, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized 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 independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Ravensdale WA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Ravensdale WA vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Ravensdale WA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Ravensdale WA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Washington school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Ravensdale WA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Ravensdale WA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate might signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Ravensdale WA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly 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 bigger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Ravensdale WA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we already 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 Ravensdale WA home, you need to make sure 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, especially if the college is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Ravensdale WA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify 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 sickness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Ravensdale WA?

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

Ravensdale, Washington

Ravensdale is a census-designated place (CDP) in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,101 at the 2010 census. It is in the Pacific Time Zone. The elevation is 623 feet (190 m).

Ravensdale was originally called Leary, after the name of Leary Coal Company, in turn named for John Leary, a Seattle coal speculator. The later name came from the flocks of ravens that fed on grain spilled from the boxcars on the Northern Pacific Railroad tracks that ran through the town. Underground coal mining commenced around 1899 by the Seattle and San Francisco Railway and Navigation Company, although coal had been mined in nearby Danville and Landsburg a few years earlier. The coal mines were later acquired by Northwest Improvement Company (NWI), a subsidiary of Northern Pacific. In 1907, Ravensdale, Washington was a coal mining town with a population of about 1,000 residents, most of whom worked for the mining company. Ravensdale was officially incorporated on August 15, 1913. On November 16, 1915 at 1:25 p.m. an explosion occurred at the mine killing thirty-one men, one of the worst coal mining accidents in Washington state history. The NWI mine was closed permanently and many of the immigrant miners left town seeking work elsewhere. A number of coal miners from Ravensdale moved to Ray, Arizona to mine copper.The town was dis-incorporated in the 1920s.[3]

Over the decades coal mining continued to fuel Ravensdale's economy as new mines were developed operating on the Danville, Landsburg, and McKay coal seams. The Dale Coal Company became one of the more successful from about 1924-1941, followed by the Continental Coal Company from 1942–1944, the Anderson Coal Company from 1943–1948; and Palmer Coking Coal Company from 1937-1975. On January 29, 1955 four miners were lost in the Landsburg mine when a cave-in filled the mine with water, mud and debris. On December 17, 1975 at 2:30 p.m., the Rogers No. 3 mine was dynamited shut by Palmer Coking Coal Company. This was the last underground coal mine in the state of Washington.

Select the Ideal Vet Tech College near Ravensdale WA

Ravensdale WA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students looking into vet tech 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 usually take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Ravensdale WA.