Veterinary Technician Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Ontario California

Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Ontario CA could at first feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. And in order to pick the right one you must evaluate and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. After they have identified some area colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when assessing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered as well. The bottom line is that prior to making a selection, you need to complete your due diligence and compare all relevant qualifications of the programs you are evaluating. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll explore the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Technician Education Options

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many jobs that they can perform within the Ontario CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern 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 veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years to complete. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Available

An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school 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 syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Ontario CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for example for travel and study materials, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian degree 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 vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Ontario CA area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's important that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you select 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). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Ontario CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Ontario CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Ontario CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate may mean 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 colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Ontario CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could 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, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Ontario CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Ontario CA home, you must make certain that the driving time is compatible with 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, particularly if the campus is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Ontario CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered 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 discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Veterinary Tech in Ontario

Chosse the Right Ontario Vet Technologist Program

Choosing the appropriate vet tech program is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician programs must make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it's imperative that you enroll in 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 provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Ontario California.

 

Ontario Veterinary Technician Schools | Ontario Online Vet Tech Programs