Veterinary Technician College
How to Find the Best One Near Petaluma California

Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Petaluma CA may at first feel like a daunting endeavor. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. When they have located some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are important concerns when comparing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered as well. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the programs you are evaluating. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training options available.

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

Vet Technician Degree Options

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can carry out within the Petaluma CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. Therefore the only real 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, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered

An option that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Petaluma CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

At this point you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Petaluma CA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, 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 demanding review process that verifies 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 colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a precondition for employment for many Petaluma CA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinary trade school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Petaluma CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

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

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate might indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed 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 may mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the Petaluma CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Petaluma CA programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Petaluma CA home, you must confirm that the driving time fits into 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. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Petaluma CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Petaluma

Chosse the Right Petaluma Veterinary Technologist Program

Picking the appropriate veterinary technician school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students considering vet tech programs must make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals 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 profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Petaluma California.

 

Petaluma Veterinary Technician Schools | Petaluma Online Vet Tech Programs