Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Find the Best One Near Moreno Valley California

Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Moreno Valley CA could initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. But to be successful as a practicing veterinary technician, you need to first locate and ultimately enroll in a school that will provide the required training and education. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the best selection? When checking out vet tech programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes. Once they have located some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you need to finish your due diligence and compare all relevant qualifications of the schools you are reviewing. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

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

Vet Tech Training Options

Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many duties that they can perform within the Moreno Valley CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Moreno Valley CA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Available

An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Moreno Valley CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for travel and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Vet Tech Programs

By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Moreno Valley CA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It's important that you make sure that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously 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 an extensive screening process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Moreno Valley CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Moreno Valley CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Moreno Valley CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all 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 clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum 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 find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Moreno Valley CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could 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 sized, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Moreno Valley CA programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Moreno Valley CA home, you must make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in 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, attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's important that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Moreno Valley CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Moreno Valley

Enroll in the Right Moreno Valley Veterinary Technologist College

Choosing the ideal veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Students looking into vet tech programs must make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Moreno Valley California.

 

Moreno Valley Veterinary Technician Schools | Moreno Valley Online Vet Tech Programs