Veterinary Technician Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Los Alamitos California

Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Los Alamitos CA might at first seem like a challenging endeavor. 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 required education and training. And in order to pick the right one you must research and compare each of the schools you have placed on your short list. When checking out vet tech programs, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes. Once they have located some local schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important factors when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the schools you are reviewing. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

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Vet Technician Degree Options

One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you want 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 commit to your education, but the main determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Los Alamitos CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a formal 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 execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians go through more extensive training in contrast to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Available

An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Los Alamitos CA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for travel and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Los Alamitos CA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, 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 receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Los Alamitos CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Los Alamitos CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Los Alamitos CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Los Alamitos CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Los Alamitos CA schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning 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 College Located?  Of course, 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 veterinary technician classes from your Los Alamitos CA home, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into 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 college is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Los Alamitos CA. Some may 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. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Tech in Los Alamitos

Chosse the Right Los Alamitos Veterinary Technologist Program

Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students looking into veterinary technician schools need to make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it's imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Los Alamitos California.

 

Los Alamitos Vet Tech Programs | Los Alamitos How To Become A Vet Tech