Vet Technician Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Fremont California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Fremont CA to fulfill your lifelong desire to work with and care for animals may initially feel like an enormous challenge. After all, you have to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. And so that you pick the right one you must research and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. When looking for vet tech schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes. When they have identified some area colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when evaluating vet tech programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered also. The bottom line is that before making a selection, you must finish your due diligence and compare all important aspects of the programs you are evaluating. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Technician Degree Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Fremont CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from 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 execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for example 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 handling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian 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 engaged in more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Available

An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Fremont CA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for traveling and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs

At this point you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Fremont CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It's important that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade 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 necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Fremont CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Fremont CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Fremont CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate could signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Fremont CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well 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 most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Fremont CA colleges you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Fremont CA home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or near 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 community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's important that you find out if the veterinary programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Fremont CA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Tech in Fremont

Chosse the Best Fremont Vet Technologist College

Choosing the ideal vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech schools need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Fremont California.

 

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