Veterinary Technician School
How to Choose the Best One Near Glendale California

Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Glendale CA might at first feel like a challenging undertaking. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you must first search for and finally enroll in a school that will provide the required education and training. 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, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes. After they have identified some area colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as 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 evaluating. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

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 veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can perform within the Glendale CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex activities, such as 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 animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering 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 essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So the main difference 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, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Available

An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Glendale CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for traveling and study supplies, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Glendale CA area and across the USA, you should 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 concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Glendale CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school rating 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 concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Glendale CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges 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 medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Glendale CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate could signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the Glendale CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Glendale CA schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Yes, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Glendale CA home, you need to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Glendale CA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Vet Technician in Glendale

Chosse the Right Glendale Veterinary Technologist College

Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet tech programs must make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when 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 goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Glendale California.

 

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