Veterinary Technician Degree
How to Choose the Best One Near East Palo Alto California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near East Palo Alto CA to achieve your lifelong goal to work with and provide medical treatment for our pets may from the start seem like an enormous task. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you must first locate and finally enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training and education. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. When they have found some area schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when evaluating vet tech programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the varied roles of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Tech Training Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can perform within the East Palo Alto CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational 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 complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular responsibilities 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 in contrast to assistants and generally obtain 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 vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  East Palo Alto CA labs or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Schools Available

An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local East Palo Alto CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

At this point you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the East Palo Alto CA area and across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It's essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you choose 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 a demanding review process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of East Palo Alto CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The vet college or trade school and program you select must have an excellent 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 placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet 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 infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some East Palo Alto 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 may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with East Palo Alto CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the East Palo Alto CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly 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 sized, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the East Palo Alto CA programs you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your East Palo Alto CA home, you must make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or close by a larger 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 especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near East Palo Alto CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Learn More About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in East Palo Alto

Enroll in the Best East Palo Alto Veterinary Technologist School

Selecting the right veterinary technician college is an important first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech colleges must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent 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 narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in East Palo Alto California.

 

East Palo Alto Veterinary Technician Schools | East Palo Alto Online Vet Tech Programs