Vet Technician Training
How to Select the Right One Near Lancaster California

Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Lancaster CA could at first seem like a daunting undertaking. But in order to succeed as a practicing veterinary technician, you must first locate and ultimately enroll in a school that will provide the required education and training. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper selection? When checking out vet tech programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes. After they have identified some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important factors when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only significant 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 point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll talk about the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Tech Degree Options

One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Lancaster CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing 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 execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially 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 main 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 additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered

An option that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Lancaster CA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech program may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges

At this point you should have determined which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Lancaster CA area as well as across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Lancaster CA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The vet college or trade school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Lancaster CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some programs 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 professional setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Lancaster CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate might suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Lancaster CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lancaster CA programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Lancaster CA home, you must make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located close by or within 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 charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's important that you determine if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Lancaster CA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family issues. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Learn More About How to Become a Veterinary Tech in Lancaster

Enroll in the Right Lancaster Vet Technologist Program

Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech colleges must make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included 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 choosing the ideal program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lancaster California.

 

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