Veterinary Technician School
How to Pick the Best One Near Monterey California

Finding a veterinary technician school near Monterey CA to fulfill your heartfelt desire to help and care for animals may from the start seem like an enormous challenge. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. And so that you pick the right one you must evaluate and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. When checking out vet tech programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes. Once they have found some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important considerations when assessing vet tech schools, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll explore the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Tech Degree Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to 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 jobs that they can carry out within the Monterey CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases 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 trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians go through more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. So the only real difference 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, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may 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  Monterey CA labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Available

An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Monterey CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for travel and study materials, can be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

At this point you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Monterey CA area and across the USA, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It's important that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Monterey CA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The vet college or trade school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Monterey CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Monterey CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Monterey CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Monterey CA colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Monterey CA home, you have to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with 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, especially if the college is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend 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. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Monterey CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your active life.

Learn More About Becoming a Vet Technician in Monterey

Chosse the Best Monterey Veterinary Technologist Program

Enrolling in the right vet tech school is an important first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet tech schools need to make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when 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 colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Monterey California.

 

Monterey Veterinary Technician Schools | Monterey Online Vet Tech Programs