Vet Technician Training
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Arcadia California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Arcadia CA to fulfill your passionate goal to work with and care for animals might from the start feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. And in order to pick the best one you must research and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their homes. Once they have identified some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. The main point is that before making a selection, you must finish your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the programs you are evaluating. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll talk about the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Tech Training Options

Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire 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 education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Arcadia CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared with assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent 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 involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may 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  Arcadia CA labs or research facilities as well.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Arcadia CA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's important that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Arcadia CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Arcadia 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 might even recommend some programs 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. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Arcadia CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate may suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Arcadia CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Arcadia CA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Arcadia CA home, you have to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with 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, especially if the campus is located in or near 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 higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's important that you determine if the vet schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Arcadia CA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Tech in Arcadia

Chosse the Right Arcadia Vet Technologist School

Picking the appropriate vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students considering veterinary technician schools must make their determination based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as 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 vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Arcadia California.

 

Arcadia Vet Tech Colleges | Arcadia Veterinary Technician Schools