Vet Technician Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Monterey California

Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Monterey CA may initially feel like an overwhelming endeavor. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you must first search for and finally enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training and education. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal choice? When looking for vet tech programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes. When they have found some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when comparing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing 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 various responsibilities of vet techs and the training options available.

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

Vet Technician Degree Options

One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the Monterey CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and normally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts 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 included in more complicated functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years. So the main 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 options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you want 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 Monterey CA area as well as across the United States, you must ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered 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 imperative that you confirm that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Monterey CA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet 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 complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Monterey CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Monterey CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate may indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Monterey CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not well thought of 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 most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Monterey CA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations 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 Campus Located?  Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Monterey CA home, you need to confirm 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees 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 need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's imperative that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Monterey CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Technologist in Monterey

Enroll in the Right Monterey Vet Technologist Program

Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering vet tech programs must make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Monterey California.

 

Monterey Vet Tech Colleges | Monterey Veterinary Technician Schools