Veterinary Technician Program
How to Find the Best One Near Burlingame California

Achieving your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Burlingame CA may initially feel like an overwhelming task. But in order to succeed as a practicing veterinary technician, you need to first search for and finally enroll in a school that will provide the required training and education. And so that you pick the best one you must research and compare each of the schools you are considering. When checking out vet tech schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes. After they have identified some local schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important factors when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you must complete your due diligence and compare all relevant qualifications of the programs you are reviewing. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll talk about the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Tech Degree Options

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Burlingame CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties 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 graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more involved duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years. So the only real 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 opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered

An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Burlingame 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 expenditures, for example for commuting and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs

At this point you should have selected which veterinary degree that you wish 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 Burlingame CA area and across the United States, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's important that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded 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 ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Burlingame CA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Burlingame CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Burlingame CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Searching for 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 schools you are reviewing. A low rate may indicate 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 schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Burlingame CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Burlingame CA colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to 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?  Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Burlingame CA home, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into 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, particularly if the campus is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Burlingame CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Technician in Burlingame

Chosse the Right Burlingame Vet Technologist School

Enrolling in the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about veterinary technician colleges must 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 responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals 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 profession. This applies to online vet tech 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 selection. And by picking the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Burlingame California.

 

Burlingame Vet Tech Programs | Burlingame How To Become A Vet Tech