Vet Technician Degree Program
How to Select the Best One Near Alameda California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Alameda CA to fulfill your heartfelt desire to work with and provide medical treatment for our pets may from the start seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will furnish the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the ideal choice? When looking for vet tech programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes. Once they have found some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. The bottom line is that before making a selection, you need to complete your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the programs you are evaluating. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll talk about the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW

Vet Technician Training Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can perform within the Alameda CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• 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 normally requires four years to complete. 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 career options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered

An approach that might 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 made available via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Alameda CA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary 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 agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Vet Tech Schools

By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you intend 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 Alameda CA area and across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among 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 confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting 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 school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Alameda CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinarian college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Alameda CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Alameda CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Alameda CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Alameda CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Alameda CA home, you have to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located close by or within 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 fees particularly 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 necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's essential that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Alameda CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Alameda

Chosse the Best Alameda Veterinary Technologist Program

Selecting the appropriate vet tech program is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about vet tech schools must make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Alameda California.

 

Alameda Veterinary Technician Schools | Alameda Online Vet Tech Programs