Veterinary Technician Training
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Monrovia California

Achieving your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Monrovia CA could initially feel like a daunting undertaking. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you need to first search for and ultimately enroll in a school that will provide the required education and training. And in order to pick the best one you must research and compare each of the schools you are considering. Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. When they have identified some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. The main point is that before making a selection, you must complete your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the programs you are examining. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the varied responsibilities 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 have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Monrovia CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal 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 undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal 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 normally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally 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 options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Schools Available

An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Monrovia CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Monrovia CA area as well as across the United States, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for many Monrovia CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Monrovia CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Monrovia CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Monrovia CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may 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, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Monrovia CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Monrovia CA home, you must make sure that the driving 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, particularly if the school is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college 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 taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Monrovia CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Technologist in Monrovia

Enroll in the Best Monrovia Vet Technologist College

Selecting the appropriate veterinary technician school is an important first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech colleges must make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Monrovia California.

 

Monrovia Veterinary Technician Schools | Monrovia Online Vet Tech Programs