Vet Technician Degree Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Brea California

Achieving your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Brea CA could at first seem like a challenging task. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you need to first locate and finally enroll in a school that will provide the required education and training. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the correct choice? When looking for vet tech schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes. When they have identified some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important factors when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll explore the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives 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 whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many functions that they can carry out within the Brea CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters 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 gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing 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 involved with more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared with assistants and typically earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably 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 included in more involved duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 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 job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered

An approach that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Brea CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for traveling and study supplies, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program 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 veterinary technician school may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs

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 college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Brea CA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Brea CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet 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 concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Brea CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Brea CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Brea CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Brea CA colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Brea CA home, you must make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's imperative that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Brea CA. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Brea

Enroll in the Best Brea Veterinary Technologist School

Selecting the appropriate vet tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students looking into vet tech programs need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Brea California.

 

Brea Veterinary Technician Schools | Brea Online Vet Tech Programs