Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Choose the Right One Near La Quinta California

Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near La Quinta CA might at first seem like an overwhelming undertaking. But to be successful as a practicing veterinary technician, you need to first search for and ultimately enroll in a school that will provide the required training and education. But just how do you tackle reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the best selection? When looking for vet tech schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes. Once they have identified some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. The bottom line is that prior to making a selection, you need to complete your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the programs you are reviewing. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll explore the various duties of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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Vet Technician Degree Options

One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians 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 duties that they can perform within the La Quinta CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared with assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary 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 included in more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  La Quinta CA labs or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered

An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local La Quinta CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for example for travel and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

By now you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the La Quinta CA area and across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier 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 undergone a thorough screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of La Quinta CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary 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 tips include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some La Quinta CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some programs 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 clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with La Quinta CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the La Quinta 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 may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the La Quinta CA programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your La Quinta CA home, you have to make sure 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or near a larger 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 higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an alternative that will give you 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 veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near La Quinta CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Technologist in La Quinta

Enroll in the Right La Quinta Veterinary Technologist Program

Enrolling in the ideal vet tech program is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Students looking into vet tech programs need to make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in La Quinta California.

 

La Quinta Veterinary Technician Schools | La Quinta Online Vet Tech Programs