Vet Technician School
How to Find the Best One Near Irvine California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Irvine CA to achieve your lifelong goal to help and provide medical treatment for our pets may from the start seem like an enormous challenge. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the proper choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. Once they have found some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when comparing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll go over the varied duties of vet techs and the training options available.

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

Vet Technician Education Options

Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary 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 training, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Irvine CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, 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 veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years. So 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, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Available

An option that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Irvine CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for traveling and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs

By now you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you want to attain, and if you want 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 Irvine CA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Irvine CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Irvine CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Irvine CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate might mean 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 schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Irvine CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Irvine CA colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Irvine CA home, you have to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's important that you determine if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Irvine CA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Irvine

Chosse the Best Irvine Vet Technologist College

Enrolling in the right vet tech college is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students considering vet tech schools must make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. 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 narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Irvine California.

 

Irvine Veterinary Technician Schools | Irvine Online Vet Tech Programs