Veterinary Technician College
How to Choose the Right One Near Milpitas California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Milpitas CA to fulfill your passionate desire to work with and care for animals may from the start seem like an enormous task. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you must first locate and finally enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training and education. And so that you pick the best one you must research and compare each of the schools you are considering. When checking out vet tech programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes. Once they have found some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important considerations when comparing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs 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 review them we'll go over the different duties of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Technician Degree Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous tasks that they can carry out within the Milpitas CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex activities, 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 undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Milpitas CA laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Available

An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Milpitas CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, such as for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you choose 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 independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Vet Tech Schools

By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Milpitas CA area and across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among 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 screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for a number of Milpitas CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Milpitas CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Milpitas CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Milpitas CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Milpitas CA programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Milpitas CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with 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 near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do decide 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, taking classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's essential that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Milpitas CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Learn More About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Milpitas

Chosse the Best Milpitas Vet Technologist College

Picking the right veterinary technician school is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into veterinary technician colleges must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Milpitas California.

 

Milpitas Vet Tech Programs | Milpitas How To Become A Vet Tech