Veterinary Technician Training
How to Choose the Right One Near Menlo Park California

Finding a veterinary technician school near Menlo Park CA to achieve your heartfelt goal to help and provide medical treatment for our pets may initially feel like an overwhelming challenge. But to be successful as a practicing veterinary technician, you need to first search for and finally enroll in a program that will provide the necessary education and training. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting colleges so that you can make the right choice? When looking for vet tech programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes. After they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when evaluating vet tech programs, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are looking at before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the different roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

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Vet Tech Education Options

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Menlo Park CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain 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 fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Menlo Park CA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools

By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Menlo Park CA area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough 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 many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Menlo Park CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Menlo Park CA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Menlo Park CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate might signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Menlo Park CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not highly 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 sized, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Menlo Park CA colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Menlo Park CA home, you have to make certain that the commuting 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, especially if the campus is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online could 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 important that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Menlo Park CA. Some 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, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Learn More About Becoming a Vet Technician in Menlo Park

Chosse the Best Menlo Park Vet Technologist School

Choosing the ideal vet tech college is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering vet tech colleges must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative 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 provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options 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 Menlo Park California.

 

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