Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Larkspur California

Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Larkspur CA could at first seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. And so that you pick the right 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 looking for campuses that are near their homes. Once they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when assessing vet technician programs, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll talk about the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Tech Training Options

One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Larkspur CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of 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 completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians go through more extensive 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 veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years to complete. So 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, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges

By now you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Larkspur CA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some important 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 mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to enroll in a school 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 should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It's essential that you make sure that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Larkspur CA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online 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 violations concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Larkspur CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Larkspur CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish 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 vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate may signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Larkspur CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Larkspur CA programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Larkspur CA home, you must make sure that the driving time is compatible with 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 decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's essential that you determine if the vet programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Larkspur CA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Larkspur

Enroll in the Right Larkspur Vet Technologist School

Selecting the right veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering vet tech schools must make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as 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 goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Larkspur California.

 

Larkspur Vet Tech Colleges | Larkspur Veterinary Technician Schools