Veterinary Technician Program
How to Select the Right One Near Berkeley California

Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Berkeley CA could at first feel like an overwhelming undertaking. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you need to first search for and ultimately enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training and education. But just how do you approach assessing and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. After they have identified some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you must finish your due diligence and compare all relevant aspects of the schools you are examining. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

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

Vet Technician Degree Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many jobs that they can carry out within the Berkeley CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing 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. Normally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably 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 vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Available

An option that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Berkeley CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for travel and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified 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 independent mode, an online vet tech school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

By now you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Berkeley CA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously 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 gone through a rigorous review process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Berkeley CA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinarian college or trade school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Berkeley CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective way to get clinical hands on experience 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 Berkeley CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate may mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Berkeley CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Berkeley CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Berkeley CA home, you have to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located near or in a larger 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 increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's essential that you find out if the veterinary colleges 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 go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Berkeley CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Vet Technician in Berkeley

Chosse the Best Berkeley Veterinary Technologist School

Enrolling in the right veterinary technician college is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician colleges need to make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Berkeley California.

 

Berkeley Veterinary Technician Schools | Berkeley Online Vet Tech Programs