Veterinary Technician Degree Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Lomita California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Lomita CA to fulfill your heartfelt goal to work with and care for our pets might from the start seem like an overwhelming challenge. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. And so that you pick the right one you must evaluate and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. When looking for vet tech programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes. After they have located some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. The main point is that before making a selection, you must finish your due diligence and compare all important aspects of the programs you are reviewing. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the different roles of vet techs and the training options available.

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

Vet Technician Education Options

Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Lomita CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements 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 vet clinic or hospital, 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. Normally they are not associated with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and typically acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years to complete. So 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 job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Available

An option that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Lomita 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 traveling and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Vet Tech Programs

By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Lomita CA area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Lomita CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Lomita CA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools 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 medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Lomita CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate may indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Lomita CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Lomita CA colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Lomita CA home, you have to make sure that the commuting 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 college is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Lomita CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Veterinary Tech in Lomita

Enroll in the Right Lomita Vet Technologist College

Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech program is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students thinking about vet tech colleges need to make their determination based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Lomita California.

 

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