Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Ontario California
Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Ontario CA might at first seem like a challenging endeavor. But in order to succeed as a practicing veterinary technician, you must first locate and ultimately enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training and education. But just how do you tackle evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the proper choice? When checking out vet tech schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes. When they have located some area colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important factors when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. 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 before making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the programs you are reviewing. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll talk about the various roles of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.
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Vet Tech Education Options
One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Ontario CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and normally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. 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 job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Ontario CA labs or research facilities as well.
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you intend 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 Ontario CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among 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 rigorous screening process that confirms 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 obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Ontario CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Ontario CA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Ontario CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Ontario CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not well 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 probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Ontario CA programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Ontario CA home, you need to make sure 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the vet schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Ontario CA. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.
Find Out More About How to Become a Vet Tech in Ontario
Chosse the Right Ontario Vet Technologist College
Selecting the ideal vet tech college is an important first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet tech schools must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Ontario California.