Vet Technician School
How to Find the Best One Near Newark California

Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Newark CA might at first feel like an overwhelming task. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you must first search for and ultimately enroll in a school that will provide the necessary education and training. And so that you pick the right one you must research and compare all of the schools you are considering. When checking out vet tech programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes. After they have found some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when assessing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. 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 reviewing. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the varied roles of vet techs and the training alternatives 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 if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the Newark CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing 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 complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared with assistants and usually obtain a 2 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 basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered

An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Newark CA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech program may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs

At this point you should have selected which veterinary degree that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Newark CA area and across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's essential that you verify that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, 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 a rigorous review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Newark CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance 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 complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Newark CA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Newark CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate could signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Newark CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Newark CA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Newark CA home, you need to make certain that the commuting time fits into 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 campus 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 higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's imperative that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Newark CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Learn More About Becoming a Vet Tech in Newark

Enroll in the Right Newark Vet Technologist College

Enrolling in the right vet tech school is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician schools need to make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. 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 choices so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Newark California.

 

Newark Veterinary Technician Schools | Newark Online Vet Tech Programs