Vet Technician Training
How to Select the Right One Near Lomita California
Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Lomita CA could at first seem like an overwhelming endeavor. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you must first locate and finally enroll in a school that will provide the required training and education. But just how do you approach analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper choice? When looking for vet tech schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes. When they have found some local colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important factors when evaluating veterinary technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll talk about the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.
IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Vet Technician Education Options
Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many jobs that they can perform within the Lomita CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and training requirements for each position.
- Vet Assistants in most 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 vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
- Vet Technicians receive more advanced training in contrast to assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Lomita CA laboratories or research facilities as well.
Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Lomita CA area and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select 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 need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Lomita CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Lomita CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Lomita CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Lomita CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lomita CA programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Lomita CA home, you have to confirm 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, especially if the school is located near or in 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 costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you find out if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lomita CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family issues. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.
Learn More About How to Become a Vet Technician in Lomita
Enroll in the Best Lomita Veterinary Technologist School
Picking the right vet tech program is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students considering vet tech colleges need to make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Lomita California.