Veterinary Technician School
How to Select the Right One Near Hillsborough California

Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Hillsborough CA may initially seem like an overwhelming undertaking. But in order to succeed as a practicing veterinary technician, you need to first search for and finally enroll in a school that will provide the required education and training. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the right selection? When checking out vet tech schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes. When they have identified some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when evaluating veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll go over the varied duties of vet techs and the training options offered.

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

Vet Technician Education Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many jobs that they can perform within the Hillsborough CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 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 work opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Available

An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Hillsborough CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for example for traveling and study supplies, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school 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 comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

By now you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Hillsborough CA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It's important that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Hillsborough CA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Hillsborough CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through 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 best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Hillsborough CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Hillsborough CA veterinarian community and has a considerable 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 placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Hillsborough CA schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine 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 make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Hillsborough CA home, you need to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college 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, attending online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Hillsborough CA. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Tech in Hillsborough

Enroll in the Right Hillsborough Veterinary Technologist Program

Enrolling in the right veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering vet tech programs must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when 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 field. This applies to online vet tech programs 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 decision. And by picking the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Hillsborough California.

 

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