Veterinary Technician Degree Program
How to Select the Right One Near Gilroy California

Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Gilroy CA might initially seem like an overwhelming task. But to be successful as a practicing veterinary technician, you must first search for and ultimately enroll in a program that will provide the required education and training. But just how do you tackle reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have located some local colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate selection. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll talk about the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

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

Vet Technician Degree Options

Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can carry out within the Gilroy CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and training requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and typically earn a two 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 general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated duties, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. Therefore the only real 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 opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Available

An option that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Gilroy CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for commuting and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Gilroy CA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Gilroy CA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Gilroy CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Gilroy CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Gilroy CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate 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, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Gilroy CA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Gilroy CA home, you need to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's important that you determine if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Gilroy CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Vet Technician in Gilroy

Chosse the Right Gilroy Vet Technologist College

Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into vet tech schools must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, 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 online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Gilroy California.

 

Gilroy Veterinary Technician Schools | Gilroy Online Vet Tech Programs