Vet Technician College
How to Select the Best One Near Burbank California
Choosing a veterinary technician school near Burbank CA to achieve your passionate goal to help and provide medical treatment for animals might from the start seem like an enormous task. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you must first locate and finally enroll in a school that will provide the necessary education and training. And in order to pick the right one you must evaluate and compare each of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many future students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. After they have identified some area colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you must complete your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the programs you are assessing. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll talk about the different 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
One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the Burbank CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each position.
- Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
- Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental 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 currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Burbank CA labs or research facilities as well.
Vet Tech Online Programs Available
An approach that might be a solution for those with a hectic 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 study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be carried out 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 some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for commuting and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Burbank CA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of 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 review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Burbank CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on 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 complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Burbank CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Burbank CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out 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 indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Burbank CA colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding 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? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Burbank 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you determine if the vet schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Burbank CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family issues. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.
Learn More About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Burbank
Enroll in the Right Burbank Veterinary Technologist Program
Selecting the right veterinary technician program is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students looking into veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Burbank California.