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

Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Orinda CA could initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you have to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the right choice? When checking out vet tech programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes. After they have located some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when assessing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all relevant qualifications of the schools you are examining. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the varied roles of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

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Vet Tech Education Options

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share 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 carry out within the Orinda CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard 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 instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, 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 vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification 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  Orinda CA labs or research facilities as well.

Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs

By now you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you want 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 Orinda CA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Orinda CA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian trade school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Orinda CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Orinda CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Orinda CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well 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 get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Orinda CA programs you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Okay, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Orinda CA home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with 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, particularly if the campus is located near or in a larger city. In addition, 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 costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's important that you determine if the vet colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Orinda CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Technician in Orinda

Chosse the Best Orinda Vet Technologist Program

Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician college is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about vet tech programs must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's very important that you choose 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 included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Orinda California.

 

Orinda Vet Tech Colleges | Orinda Veterinary Technician Schools