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

Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Larkspur CA could initially feel like a challenging task. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you need to first search for and finally enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training and education. And so that you pick the best one you must research and compare all of the schools you are considering. Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. When they have identified some local schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when evaluating vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final decision. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll go over the various roles of vet techs and the training options available.

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

Vet Tech Education Options

Among the initial 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 dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Larkspur CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and usually earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Available

An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Larkspur CA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for commuting and study materials, may be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the program 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 included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

At this point you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Larkspur CA area and across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Larkspur CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Larkspur CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Larkspur CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school 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 might indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Larkspur CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well regarded 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 most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Larkspur CA colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Larkspur CA home, you need to make certain 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by a larger 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 fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Larkspur CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Larkspur

Chosse the Right Larkspur Veterinary Technologist College

Enrolling in the right veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students looking into veterinary technician programs must make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Larkspur California.

 

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