Veterinary Technician College
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Oakley California

Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Oakley CA might at first feel like an overwhelming undertaking. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you need to first search for and finally enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training and education. 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 aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have found some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make a final choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training options 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 need to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can perform within the Oakley CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and usually obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years. 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 career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Oakley CA labs or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Available

An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Oakley CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Oakley CA area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It's important that you verify that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many Oakley CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Oakley CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Oakley CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate may indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed 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 high placement rate may mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Oakley CA veterinarian community and has a considerable 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 placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Oakley CA programs you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Oakley CA home, you have to make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Oakley CA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Technician in Oakley

Chosse the Right Oakley Vet Technologist College

Enrolling in the right veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students considering vet tech schools 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 take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you decide on 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 included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Oakley California.

 

Oakley Veterinary Technician Schools | Oakley Online Vet Tech Programs