Vet Technician Training
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Costa Mesa California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Costa Mesa CA to fulfill your passionate desire to help and provide medical treatment for our pets might initially feel like an overwhelming challenge. But in order to succeed as a practicing veterinary technician, you must first search for and finally enroll in a program that will provide the necessary education and training. And so that you pick the right one you must research and compare all of the schools you are considering. Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. When they have identified some area schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you must complete your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the schools you are assessing. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll go over the various duties of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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 whether you plan 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 education, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Costa Mesa CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice 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 vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians get 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 sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Costa Mesa CA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of 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 thorough screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Costa Mesa CA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating 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 involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Costa Mesa CA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Costa Mesa CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate may signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study 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 might signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Costa Mesa CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Costa Mesa CA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Costa Mesa CA home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Costa Mesa CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Learn More About Becoming a Vet Tech in Costa Mesa

Enroll in the Right Costa Mesa Vet Technologist College

Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech college is an important first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary technician schools need to make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Costa Mesa California.

 

Costa Mesa Vet Tech Colleges | Costa Mesa Veterinary Technician Schools