Vet Technician Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Elk Grove California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Elk Grove CA to fulfill your lifelong desire to help and care for our pets may initially seem like an overwhelming task. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you must first search for and ultimately enroll in a program that will provide the required training and education. But just how do you tackle reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. When they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when evaluating vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you must finish your due diligence and compare all relevant qualifications of the schools you are evaluating. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the various roles of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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 wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Elk Grove CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from 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 completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and generally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain 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 more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Elk Grove CA labs or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Available

An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Elk Grove CA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for commuting and study materials, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. 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 independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs

By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Elk Grove CA area as well as across the United States, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It's important that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Elk Grove CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Elk Grove CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Elk Grove CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate could signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Elk Grove 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 placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Elk Grove CA schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning 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 School Located?  Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Elk Grove CA home, you must make certain that the driving 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 near a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend 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. Of course attending online classes might 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 essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Elk Grove CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Elk Grove

Enroll in the Best Elk Grove Vet Technologist School

Choosing the ideal veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech programs need to make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Elk Grove California.

 

Elk Grove Veterinary Technician Schools | Elk Grove Online Vet Tech Programs