Vet Technician Degree Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Los Angeles California

Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Los Angeles CA might initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. But in order to succeed as a practicing veterinary technician, you must first locate and ultimately enroll in a school that will provide the required education and training. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. Once they have identified some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered as well. The bottom line is that prior to making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all important aspects of the schools you are examining. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the varied roles of vet techs and the training options available.

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Vet Tech Education Options

One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Los Angeles CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing 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. Normally they are not involved with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges

By now you should have selected which veterinary degree that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Los Angeles CA area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It's essential that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, 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 a demanding review process that verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Los Angeles CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with 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, call some Los Angeles CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Los Angeles CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate may suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Los Angeles CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Los Angeles CA programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Los Angeles CA home, you need to make certain that the driving time is compatible with 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 campus is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Los Angeles CA. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Technologist in Los Angeles

Chosse the Right Los Angeles Veterinary Technologist Program

Picking the ideal vet tech program is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students looking into vet tech schools need to make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it's very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Los Angeles California.

 

Los Angeles Vet Tech Colleges | Los Angeles Veterinary Technician Schools