Vet Technician Training
How to Pick the Best One Near Los Angeles California

Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Los Angeles CA could initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you must first locate and ultimately enroll in a program that will provide the required training and education. And in order to pick the right one you must research and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. After they have found some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll go over 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 Training Options

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can carry out within the Los Angeles CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts 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 involved activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Schools Available

An option that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Los Angeles CA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs

At this point you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Los Angeles CA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It's important that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Los Angeles CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Los Angeles CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some 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 setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Los Angeles CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may 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 low rate may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Los Angeles CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure 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 colleges you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Los Angeles CA home, you need to make certain 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, especially if the college is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college 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 classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Los Angeles CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Technician in Los Angeles

Enroll in the Best Los Angeles Veterinary Technologist School

Enrolling in the right vet tech school is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering vet tech schools must make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Los Angeles California.

 

Los Angeles Veterinary Technician Schools | Los Angeles Online Vet Tech Programs