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

Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Burbank CA could at first feel like a daunting undertaking. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you need to first locate and finally enroll in a program that will provide the necessary education and training. And in order to pick the best one you must research and compare all of the schools you are considering. When checking out vet tech programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes. When they have located some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when assessing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. The main point is that before making a selection, you need to finish your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the programs you are examining. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Technician Education Options

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Burbank CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and normally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably 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 included in more involved activities, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. So the main 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 opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Available

An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Burbank CA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for commuting and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

By now you should have determined which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Burbank CA area as well as across the United States, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade 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 important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for a number of Burbank CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Burbank CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Burbank CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Burbank CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Burbank CA programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Burbank CA home, you need to confirm 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or close by 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 increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's essential that you determine if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Burbank CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

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

Enroll in the Best Burbank Vet Technologist School

Selecting the appropriate vet tech program is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options 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 Burbank California.

 

Burbank Veterinary Technician Schools | Burbank Online Vet Tech Programs