Vet Technician Program
How to Find the Right One Near Novato California
Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Novato CA might initially feel like a daunting task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. And in order to pick the right one you must research and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. Once they have identified some local schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll go over the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.
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Vet Technician Degree Options
One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Novato CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing 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 complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
- Vet Technicians get more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. 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 opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Novato CA laboratories or research facilities as well.
Online Vet Tech Schools Available
An option that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary 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 several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Novato CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you should 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 an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Novato 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 focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that confirms 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 offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Novato CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Novato CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Novato CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program 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 low rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Novato CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Novato CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Novato CA home, you need to 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you determine if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Novato CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered 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 emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.
Find Out More About How to Become a Vet Tech in Novato
Enroll in the Right Novato Veterinary Technologist College
Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician school is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for animals. Students looking into vet tech colleges must make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Novato California.