Veterinary Technician Program
How to Find the Best One Near Napa California

Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Napa CA may at first seem like a challenging task. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you must first locate and finally enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training and education. And so that you pick the right one you must research and compare each of the schools you are considering. When checking out vet tech schools, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes. Once they have located some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all important aspects of the programs you are evaluating. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Technician Training Options

Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many jobs that they can perform within the Napa CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, 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 controlling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered

An option that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school 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 available. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Napa CA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for traveling and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Napa CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's important that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Napa CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start 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 online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Napa CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Napa CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate could signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Napa CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean 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 bigger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Napa CA schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Of course, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Napa CA home, you must make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, 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 large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Napa CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Napa

Chosse the Right Napa Vet Technologist College

Selecting the ideal vet tech program is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet tech schools need to make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Napa California.

 

Napa Veterinary Technician Schools | Napa Online Vet Tech Programs