Vet Technician Program
How to Find the Right One Near Pasadena California

Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Pasadena CA might initially seem like a daunting task. But to be successful as a practicing veterinary technician, you must first search for and finally enroll in a school that will provide the required training and education. But just how do you tackle evaluating and comparing programs so that you can make the proper selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their residences. After they have identified some local schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll talk about the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Tech Degree Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a vet 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 training, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous tasks that they can carry out within the Pasadena CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and typically earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Pasadena CA labs or research facilities also.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

By now you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Pasadena CA area and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's important that you verify that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. 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 demanding screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Pasadena CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Pasadena CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Pasadena CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Pasadena CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Pasadena CA schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning 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 College Located?  Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Pasadena CA home, you have to make certain 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, 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 state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Pasadena CA. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Vet Technician in Pasadena

Enroll in the Best Pasadena Vet Technologist School

Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering vet tech programs need to make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as 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 goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the right college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Pasadena California.

 

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