Vet Technician Training
How to Select the Right One Near Moorpark California

Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Moorpark CA may initially seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and contrasting programs so that you can make the best selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their homes. When they have identified some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important factors when evaluating vet technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make a final choice. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll go over the various duties of vet techs and the training options offered.

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

Vet Technician Training Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Moorpark CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher 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 examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Available

An option that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Moorpark CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for example for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified 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 fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

At this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Moorpark CA area and across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select 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 should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It's important that you make sure that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, 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 an extensive review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for many Moorpark CA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Moorpark CA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Moorpark CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Moorpark CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate 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 get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Moorpark CA programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Yes, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Moorpark CA home, you need to confirm that the driving time is compatible with 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 campus is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Moorpark CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Tech in Moorpark

Enroll in the Best Moorpark Vet Technologist School

Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician program is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering vet tech colleges must make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Moorpark California.

 

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