Vet Technician College
How to Choose the Right One Near Pittsburg California

Realizing your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Pittsburg CA might at first seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. And in order to pick the best one you must research and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. When looking for vet tech schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes. Once they have identified some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important factors when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided 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 options available.

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

Vet Tech Training Options

One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Pittsburg CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through 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 veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and generally 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 duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated functions, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Available

An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Pittsburg CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for example for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges

At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Pittsburg CA area and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior 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 degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Pittsburg CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet 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 grievances or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Pittsburg CA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more 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 clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Pittsburg CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate might suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Pittsburg CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Pittsburg CA colleges you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations 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?  Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Pittsburg CA home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into 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 large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's essential that you find out if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Pittsburg CA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Technologist in Pittsburg

Enroll in the Right Pittsburg Veterinary Technologist Program

Selecting the appropriate vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech programs need to make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Pittsburg California.

 

Pittsburg Vet Tech Schools | Pittsburg Vet Tech Schools Online