Vet Technician School
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Lodi California

Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Lodi CA might at first feel like a daunting undertaking. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you must first locate and ultimately enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training and education. 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 future students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. When they have found some local schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important factors when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

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

Vet Tech Degree Options

One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many duties that they can carry out within the Lodi CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties 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 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 technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and generally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex duties, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered

An option that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Lodi CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for commuting and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in 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 comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools

By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Lodi CA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's important that you confirm that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, 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 a thorough review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Lodi CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin 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 rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Lodi CA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Lodi CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships 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 veterinary technician program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Lodi CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lodi CA schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Lodi CA home, you must confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lodi CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Tech in Lodi

Enroll in the Right Lodi Vet Technologist School

Selecting the right vet tech program is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician schools need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. 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 alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Lodi California.

 

Lodi Veterinary Technician Schools | Lodi Online Vet Tech Programs