Vet Technician Degree
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Chico California

Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Chico CA might initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their homes. When they have identified some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the schools you are reviewing. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training options 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 need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Chico CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered

An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Chico CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for example for commuting and study materials, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided 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 perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Chico CA area and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive 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 a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Chico CA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online 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 violations concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Chico CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Chico CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate could signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching 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 outstanding reputation within the Chico CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Chico CA colleges you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Chico CA home, you have to make certain 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, especially if the college is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's important that you find out if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Chico CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Technologist in Chico

Enroll in the Right Chico Veterinary Technologist Program

Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech program is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about vet tech programs must make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Chico California.

 

Chico Veterinary Technician Schools | Chico Online Vet Tech Programs