Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Select the Best One Near Anaheim California

Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Anaheim CA may initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you must find and enroll in a college that will deliver the necessary training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the proper choice? When looking for vet tech programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes. When they have found some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when assessing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. The main point is that before making a selection, you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the programs you are evaluating. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the different duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Tech Education Options

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Anaheim CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed 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 veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Anaheim CA laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Available

An option that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Anaheim CA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Anaheim CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 an extensive review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Anaheim CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Anaheim CA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Anaheim CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate might indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Anaheim CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Anaheim CA programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Anaheim CA home, you must make sure that the driving time is compatible with 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 campus is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's imperative that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Anaheim CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family issues. You might find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Learn More About Becoming a Vet Technician in Anaheim

Chosse the Best Anaheim Veterinary Technologist College

Picking the ideal veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students thinking about vet tech schools must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Anaheim California.

 

Anaheim Vet Tech Programs | Anaheim How To Become A Vet Tech