Veterinary Technician Training
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Hemet California
Choosing a veterinary technician school near Hemet CA to achieve your lifelong desire to work with and care for animals may initially feel like an overwhelming task. But in order to succeed 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 go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the right choice? When looking for vet tech programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes. After they have located some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. The bottom line is that prior to making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all important aspects of the schools you are evaluating. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll go over the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.
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 have to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Hemet CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from 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 performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
- Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and generally acquire a 2 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 general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved activities, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher 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 examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Hemet CA laboratories or research facilities as well.
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you should have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like 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 Hemet CA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Hemet CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Hemet CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with Hemet CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Hemet CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify 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 in size, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Hemet CA schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Hemet CA home, you have 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Hemet CA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.
Learn More About How to Become a Vet Tech in Hemet
Enroll in the Right Hemet Vet Technologist Program
Selecting the ideal veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into veterinary technician schools must make their determination based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Hemet California.