How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Illinois

A veterinary technician job is believed to be naïve and not demanding at all.

Nevertheless, this can be thought only by the person who did not have a chance of watching one working day of a veterinary technician.

All the difficulties that he/she has to face, regarding both the sick animal are demanding, and they are seriously involved in the medical care and curing process of wounded or ill animals.

Veterinary Technician Job Description

When the duties of a veterinary technician are in question, they are various, challenging and rewarding as all animal health care clinics trust them and consider their services of crucial importance in flawless daily functioning.

Being that their skills are so diverse, they can complete a wide range of duties and can work in numerous facilities related to veterinary science.

Some of the veterinary technician responsibilities are:

• Dealing with clients and answering all their questions, concerns and demands
• Cooperating with other vet technicians, assistants, and veterinarians
• Assisting the physician in all his/her work
• Keeping updated medical records

Those who work in rescue centers and animal rehabilitation centers have to perform even more demanding and serious work.

Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Illinois

Having in mind the fact that veterinary technician vocation offers a promising future in employment prospects and a good salary numerous young people decide to try their luck by becoming a veterinary technician in Illinois.

The process of becoming a veterinary technician starts with the enrollment in an accredited veterinary technician program by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities.

To be able to register for the program, general education courses in English, computer skills, biology, and math should be passed.

Educational Requirements for Veterinary Technicians in Illinois

The veterinary technology programs accredited by the AVMA in Illinois are:

• Joliet Junior College
• Parkland College
• Rockford Career College
• Vatterott College-Fairview Heights
• Vet Tech Institute at Fox College

Further education is related to veterinary science and the students will learn about all aspects of animal care.

The courses will be about how to assist in surgery, emergency care, and animal restraint, you will learn how to administer anesthesia and medications, take x-rays, and work in a laboratory.

You will get the chance to prove your knowledge of large or small animals or in the laboratory during the internship in the final semester.

What will be required for the enrollment is determined by the school itself, as some will oblige students to have prior experience at a veterinary clinic or do placement or evaluation tests.

Some schools require a Health Occupation Aptitude Examination or immunizations.

Just as they determine the rules for admission, they regulate the tuition per credit hour.

It can be $100 to $115 for in-state students, $269 to $312 for out-of-district students, and out of state even higher.

So the final costs for two or three years of education range from $13,000 to $34,000.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the website where you can find instructions on how to apply for veterans benefits available to veterinary technician students.

Illinois has a legislative act called the Workforce Investment Act which is a great chance of finding financial aids or scholarships to finance your education.

Unlike other states, Illinois has numerous scholarships available and each school’s website has scholarship information for veterinary technician students.

Veterinary Technician Examination and License

Besides doing well on your courses and getting an Associate’s in Science degree in Veterinary Technology, another important thing after successfully finishing them is taking the Veterinary Technician National Examination.

The passing of this exam is required to become an Illinois veterinary technician and the licensure will be issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Also, the license is prone to expiration, so fifteen hours of continuing education every two years are necessary and obligatory to maintain your license.

Job Prospects in Illinois

Every student is eager to find a satisfying job once he/she finishes the education.

Illinois has to offer a lot of animal clinics and hospitals where future veterinary technicians can work.

Some of the clinics have awards for the great care of all kinds of animals and even offer dentistry services.

To be a successful veterinary technician, he/she needs to be able to provide services like microchipping, parasite prevention, dermatology and much more.

The chances are equal for all the candidates and who will be hired is based on the criteria set by the employers.

Good job opportunities are offered by numerous veterinary technician employers in Illinois and all the information can be found on:

• Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association
• Veterinary Career Network
• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
• Vet Tech Life.

Veterinary Technicians’ Average Annual Salary in Illinois

The finding of the job is easy, but whether it will provide a decent salary depends on many other factors.

How much money the technician will earn is affected by the development of the region where the facility is, the amount of work and the number of animals kept in that area.

The annual salary of a veterinary technician distinguishes among the cities around Illinois, as the availability of the facility can also affect the average salary of a veterinary technician.

When it comes to the technician himself/herself, the usual factors are experience, number of working hours and work setting.

The pay rates might range from $33,700 in Moline, up to $ 39 054 in Naperville per year.

Regional Salary in Illinois

Veterinary Technician’s Duties

What makes a good veterinary technician is a dedication to work, reliability, hard-working and responsibility.

The daily requirements of a veterinary technician are greatly depending on the facility and the amount of work that it has as a veterinary clinic is a place where anything can happen and many lives are in the hands of veterinary technician who need to be in charge of everything and provide the first aid which makes this vocation physically and emotionally very demanding.

Veterinary Technicians by State