Veterinary Technician Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Lakewood California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Lakewood CA to fulfill your passionate goal to help and care for our pets might from the start seem like an enormous task. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. And so that you pick the best one you must evaluate and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. After they have identified some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when comparing vet technician programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The bottom line is that before making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the schools you are reviewing. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the varied roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

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Vet Tech Education Options

One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Lakewood CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet 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 undergone 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 community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and normally earn a 2 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 basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Lakewood CA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Available

An option that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Lakewood CA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for example for traveling and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. 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 self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

At this point you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Lakewood CA area and across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Lakewood CA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Lakewood CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Lakewood CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Lakewood CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Lakewood CA schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Lakewood CA home, you have to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lakewood CA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Veterinary Tech in Lakewood

Enroll in the Right Lakewood Veterinary Technologist School

Choosing the right veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Students thinking about veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it's very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lakewood California.

 

Lakewood Veterinary Technician Schools | Lakewood Online Vet Tech Programs