Veterinary Technician Degree
How to Pick the Right One Near Folsom California

Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Folsom CA could initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper choice? When looking for vet tech schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes. After they have located some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Job placement and intership 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 carry out your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the programs you are examining. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll go over the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Tech Degree Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Folsom CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal 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 technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered

An option that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Folsom CA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for travel and study supplies, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program 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 furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools

By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Folsom CA area and across the USA, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Folsom CA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet 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 involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Folsom CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Folsom CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate may mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. 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 exceptional reputation within the Folsom CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not well regarded 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 personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Folsom CA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Folsom 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, particularly if the school is located near or in 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 increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's imperative that you determine if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Folsom CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Folsom

Chosse the Right Folsom Vet Technologist School

Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician program is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students looking into veterinary technician schools must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Folsom California.

 

Folsom Veterinary Technician Schools | Folsom Online Vet Tech Programs