Veterinary Technician Program
How to Select the Right One Near Millbrae California

Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Millbrae CA could initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you need to first search for and finally enroll in a program that will provide the required education and training. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the correct choice? When checking out vet tech programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes. When they have found some area schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important factors when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the various roles of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW

Vet Tech Education Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Millbrae CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from 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 involved with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years. 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 job opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Millbrae CA labs or research facilities also.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

By now you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Millbrae CA area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's essential that you verify that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier 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 rigorous review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Millbrae CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Millbrae CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Millbrae CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate might signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Millbrae CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Millbrae CA schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Millbrae CA home, you must make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's important that you ascertain if the vet programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Millbrae CA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Tech in Millbrae

Chosse the Best Millbrae Vet Technologist Program

Choosing the appropriate vet tech school is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their determination based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Millbrae California.

 

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