Veterinary Technician Program
How to Find the Right One Near Burbank California

Finding a veterinary technician school near Burbank CA to fulfill your passionate goal to help and care for animals may from the start seem like an enormous task. But in order to succeed as a practicing veterinary technician, you need to first search for and finally enroll in a program that will provide the required training and education. But just how do you tackle assessing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the right choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. When they have located some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant concerns when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the various responsibilities 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 first decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Burbank CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and generally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years. Therefore 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, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Burbank CA area and across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Burbank CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Burbank CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Burbank CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Burbank CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Burbank CA colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Burbank CA home, you need to confirm that the commuting 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 college is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Burbank CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Learn More About Becoming a Vet Tech in Burbank

Chosse the Right Burbank Veterinary Technologist Program

Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician college is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students looking into vet tech schools must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you choose 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 provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Burbank California.

 

Burbank Vet Tech Colleges | Burbank Veterinary Technician Schools