Vet Technician Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Moreno Valley California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Moreno Valley CA to fulfill your lifelong desire to work with and provide medical treatment for our pets might from the start seem like an overwhelming task. But to be successful as a practicing veterinary technician, you must first locate and ultimately enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training and education. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. When they have located some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when assessing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. The bottom line is that prior to making a selection, you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all relevant aspects of the schools you are evaluating. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll talk about the different duties of vet techs and the training options available.

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

Vet Tech Education Options

One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can perform within the Moreno Valley CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years to complete. Therefore 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 work options, 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 emergency care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Moreno Valley CA labs or research facilities as well.

What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges

At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Moreno Valley CA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune 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 touched on other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Moreno Valley CA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating 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 violations regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Moreno Valley CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Moreno Valley CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Moreno Valley CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not highly regarded 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 Moreno Valley CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Moreno Valley CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased 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 necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's essential that you determine if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Moreno Valley CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Technologist in Moreno Valley

Chosse the Best Moreno Valley Veterinary Technologist School

Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students thinking about veterinary technician schools need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it's imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Moreno Valley California.

 

Moreno Valley Vet Tech Colleges | Moreno Valley Veterinary Technician Schools