Vet Technician Training
How to Pick the Right One Near Petaluma California

Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Petaluma CA might initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. But in order to succeed as a practicing veterinary technician, you need to first search for and ultimately enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training and education. And in order to pick the right one you must research and compare each of the schools you have placed on your short list. When looking for vet tech schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes. When they have located some local colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important factors when evaluating vet technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. The main point is that before making a selection, you must complete your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the schools you are examining. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Technician Training Options

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous tasks that they can carry out within the Petaluma CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four 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 work opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered

An approach that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Petaluma CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

At this point you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Petaluma CA area and across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a college 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 schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that ensures you will get 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 offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Petaluma CA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start 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 internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Petaluma CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Petaluma CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of 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 could mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Petaluma CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Petaluma CA colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Yes, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Petaluma CA home, you need to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college 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, taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's essential that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Petaluma CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet training into your active life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Technologist in Petaluma

Chosse the Best Petaluma Veterinary Technologist Program

Picking the appropriate vet tech program is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into veterinary technician schools must make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities 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 field. This applies to online vet tech colleges 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 choice. And by selecting the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Petaluma California.

 

Petaluma Vet Tech Programs | Petaluma How To Become A Vet Tech