Veterinary Technician Training
How to Select the Right One Near Mission Viejo California

Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Mission Viejo CA could at first feel like a challenging endeavor. But in order to succeed as a practicing veterinary technician, you must first search for and ultimately enroll in a program that will provide the necessary education and training. But just how do you tackle evaluating and contrasting schools so that you can make the ideal selection? When checking out vet tech programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes. After they have located some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when assessing vet tech programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated as well. The bottom line is that before making a selection, you need to finish your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the programs you are assessing. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll talk about the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

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

Vet Technician Training Options

One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many duties that they can perform within the Mission Viejo CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians go through more extensive training in contrast to assistants and generally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Mission Viejo CA labs or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Available

An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Mission Viejo CA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for traveling and study supplies, can be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. 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 perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Mission Viejo CA area and across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Mission Viejo CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinarian trade school or college and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Mission Viejo CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Mission Viejo CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Mission Viejo CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not highly 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 in size, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Mission Viejo CA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students concerning 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 College Located?  Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Mission Viejo CA home, you need to make certain 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's important that you find out if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Mission Viejo CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to 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 discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Tech in Mission Viejo

Enroll in the Right Mission Viejo Veterinary Technologist Program

Selecting the right vet tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician programs need to make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Mission Viejo California.

 

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