Vet Technician School
How to Find the Right One Near Hayward California

Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Hayward CA might initially seem like a challenging task. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the right selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. When they have found some area colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The main point is that before making a selection, you must complete your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the schools you are reviewing. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Technician Degree Options

One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Hayward CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in almost all 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 completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs 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. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Hayward CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for example for travel and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm 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 complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

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 Hayward CA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many Hayward CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Hayward CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Hayward CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate might signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Hayward CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Hayward CA schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Hayward CA home, you need to confirm that the commuting time fits into 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 close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's imperative that you find out if the vet schools you are considering 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 at night near Hayward CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Vet Technologist in Hayward

Enroll in the Best Hayward Vet Technologist College

Picking the right veterinary technician school is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students looking into veterinary technician colleges need to make their determination based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for 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 selecting the ideal college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Hayward California.

 

Hayward Vet Tech Programs | Hayward How To Become A Vet Tech