Vet Technician Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Lincoln California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Lincoln CA to achieve your heartfelt desire to help and provide medical treatment for animals may from the start feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the correct choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their residences. When they have found some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are considering before you make a final choice. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Technician Training Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Lincoln CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing 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. Normally they are not involved with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and generally earn a 2 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 duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered

An option that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Lincoln CA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, such as for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs

By now you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Lincoln CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Lincoln CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet 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 infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Lincoln CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Lincoln CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Lincoln 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 assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lincoln CA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get 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 methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Lincoln CA home, you have to confirm that the driving time fits into 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 school is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lincoln CA. Others might only be able to attend class 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 may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Learn More About Becoming a Vet Tech in Lincoln

Chosse the Best Lincoln Vet Technologist Program

Enrolling in the right vet tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when 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 goes for online vet tech schools 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 choice. And by selecting the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lincoln California.

 

Lincoln Veterinary Technician Schools | Lincoln Online Vet Tech Programs