Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Altadena California

Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Altadena CA might at first feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will provide the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. And so that you pick the best one you must research and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many future students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their homes. After they have identified some area colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important factors when evaluating vet technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the various duties of vet techs and the training options available.

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

Vet Tech Education Options

Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Altadena CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, 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 technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Altadena CA labs or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered

An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Altadena CA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Vet Tech Programs

By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Altadena CA area and across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding 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 numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Altadena CA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online 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 complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Altadena CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Altadena CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Altadena CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Altadena CA programs you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Yes, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Altadena CA home, you must 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or close by a large 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 community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's essential that you determine if the veterinary programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Altadena CA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Tech in Altadena

Enroll in the Right Altadena Vet Technologist Program

Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician school is an important first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students looking into veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it's imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Altadena California.

 

Altadena Veterinary Technician Schools | Altadena Online Vet Tech Programs