Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Redmond WA - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician Program near Redmond Washington

Redmond WA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Redmond WA might initially feel like a challenging endeavor. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. Once they have found some local schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Redmond WA

cat with cone after surgery in Redmond WA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the Redmond WA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from 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 performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and normally acquire 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 basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require vet 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 typically requires 4 years. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Redmond

student attending online vet tech school in Redmond WA An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Redmond WA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for traveling and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Redmond WA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Redmond WA vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer 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 Redmond WA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for many Redmond WA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with 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 violations regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Redmond WA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend some 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 clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Redmond WA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult 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 course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Redmond WA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify 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 most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Redmond WA schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Redmond WA home, you have to make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Redmond WA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Redmond WA?

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

Redmond, Washington

Redmond is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located 16 miles (26 km) east of Seattle. The population was 64,291 in a 2017 census estimate. Redmond is commonly recognized as the home of Microsoft and Nintendo of America. With an annual bike race on city streets and the state's only velodrome, Redmond is also known as the "Bicycle Capital of the Northwest".[4][5]

Native Americans have lived in the Redmond area for over 10,000 years, based on artifacts discovered at the Redmond Town Center archaeological site and Marymoor Prehistoric Indian Site.[6][7] The first European settlers arrived in the 1870s. Luke McRedmond filed a Homestead Act claim for land next to the Sammamish Slough on September 9, 1870, and the following year Warren Perrigo took up land adjacent to him. The rivers and streams had so many salmon that the settlement was initially named Salmonberg. More settlers came, and with the establishment of the first post office in 1881, the name of the community was changed to Melrose. The new name was derived from the Perrigos' successful inn, Melrose House, which upset McRedmond. After becoming postmaster, he successfully petitioned to have the name changed to Redmond in 1883.[8]

The abundant forests and fish of Redmond provided jobs for loggers and fishermen and with those jobs came demand for goods and services, bringing in merchants. The logging industry expanded significantly in 1889 when Seattle Lake Shore & Eastern Railway built a station in the center of town. The first plat for Redmond was filed on May 11, 1891, encompassing much of the area now known as downtown. After reaching the necessary population of 300, Redmond was incorporated on December 31, 1912.[8]

Choose the Right Vet Tech Program near Redmond WA

Redmond WA vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for animals. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician programs need to make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent 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 narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Redmond WA.