Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Find the Best One Near Petaluma California

Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Petaluma CA could initially seem like a daunting task. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. After they have found some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The main point is that before making a selection, you need to finish your due diligence and compare all important aspects of the schools you are assessing. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll go over 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 Technician Degree Options

Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote 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 each work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Petaluma CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in most cases 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 vocational 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 associated with more complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to assistants and typically obtain a two 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 function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered

An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Petaluma CA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for traveling and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs

By now you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Petaluma CA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to select 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 schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Petaluma CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on 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 involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Petaluma CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some schools 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 medical environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Petaluma CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate might mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Petaluma CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may 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, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Petaluma CA programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Petaluma CA home, you must make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in 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. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's imperative that you ascertain if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Petaluma CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Vet Technologist in Petaluma

Enroll in the Right Petaluma Veterinary Technologist Program

Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech college is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students looking into veterinary technician programs need to make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Petaluma California.

 

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