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How to Select a Vet Tech School near Seattle Washington

Seattle WA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Seattle WA might at first feel like a daunting endeavor. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. After they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when evaluating vet technician programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated 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 provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the various duties of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Seattle WA

cat with cone after surgery in Seattle WA Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Seattle WA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Seattle

student attending online vet tech school in Seattle WA An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Seattle WA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for commuting and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Seattle WA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Seattle WA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Seattle WA area and across the USA, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Seattle WA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college 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 endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Washington school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Seattle WA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Seattle WA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Seattle WA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Seattle WA programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Seattle WA home, you have to 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, particularly if the college is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Seattle WA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Seattle WA?

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

Seattle

Seattle (/siˈætəl/ (listen) see-AT-əl) is a seaport city on the west coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With an estimated 730,000 residents as of 2018[update], Seattle is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region of North America. According to U.S. Census data released in 2018, the Seattle metropolitan area’s population stands at 3.87 million, and ranks as the 15th largest in the United States.[9] In July 2013, it was the fastest-growing major city in the United States[10] and remained in the Top 5 in May 2015 with an annual growth rate of 2.1%.[11] In July 2016, Seattle was again the fastest-growing major U.S. city, with a 3.1% annual growth rate.[12] Seattle is the northernmost large city in the contiguous United States.

The city is situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound (an inlet of the Pacific Ocean) and Lake Washington, about 100 miles (160 km) south of the Canada–United States border. A major gateway for trade with Asia, Seattle is the fourth-largest port in North America in terms of container handling as of 2015[update].[13]

The Seattle area was inhabited by Native Americans for at least 4,000 years before the first permanent European settlers.[14]Arthur A. Denny and his group of travelers, subsequently known as the Denny Party, arrived from Illinois via Portland, Oregon, on the schooner Exact at Alki Point on November 13, 1851.[15] The settlement was moved to the eastern shore of Elliott Bay and named "Seattle" in 1852, in honor of Chief Si'ahl of the local Duwamish and Suquamish tribes.

Pick the Right Veterinary Technician School near Seattle WA

Seattle WA vet tech holding dog Selecting the appropriate vet tech school is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician schools need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Seattle WA.