Vet Technician Degree
How to Choose the Right One Near Dublin California

Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Dublin CA may at first seem like a challenging undertaking. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you must first search for and finally enroll in a school that will provide the required training and education. And in order to pick the best one you must evaluate and compare all of the schools you are considering. When checking out vet tech programs, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes. After they have located some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Tech Education Options

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you desire 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 main factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Dublin CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and generally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Dublin CA labs or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered

An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Dublin CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for example for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

At this point you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Dublin CA area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's important that you confirm that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier 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 an extensive review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Dublin CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian college or trade school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Dublin CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Dublin CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Dublin CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Dublin CA schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Dublin CA home, you need to make certain that the commuting 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 school is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Dublin CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family issues. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Learn More About How to Become a Veterinary Tech in Dublin

Chosse the Right Dublin Veterinary Technologist Program

Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into vet tech programs need to make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Dublin California.

 

Dublin Veterinary Technician Schools | Dublin Online Vet Tech Programs