Vet Technician Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near El Segundo California

Finding a veterinary technician school near El Segundo CA to fulfill your lifelong goal to help and care for animals may initially seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the ideal choice? When looking for vet tech programs, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes. When they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to 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 important qualifications of the schools you are assessing. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the different duties of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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Vet Technician Training Options

One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the El Segundo CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to assistants and usually obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years. Therefore 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 work opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  El Segundo CA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs 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. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local El Segundo 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, such as for travel and study materials, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the El Segundo CA area and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's important that you verify that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 gone through a rigorous 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 a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many El Segundo CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some El Segundo CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with El Segundo CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate could suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the El Segundo CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean 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, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the El Segundo CA colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your El Segundo CA home, you have to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's important that you find out if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near El Segundo 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 available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Vet Technologist in El Segundo

Enroll in the Best El Segundo Vet Technologist School

Enrolling in the ideal vet tech program is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools 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 choice. And by selecting the ideal program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in El Segundo California.

 

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