Veterinary Technician Degree
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Pleasant Hill California

Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Pleasant Hill CA might initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you must first locate 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 are considering. Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. When they have found some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated as well. The bottom line is that before making a selection, you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all relevant qualifications of the schools you are evaluating. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Tech Training Options

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many tasks that they can perform within the Pleasant Hill CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, 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 veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex activities, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. So 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 job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered

An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Pleasant Hill CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. 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 mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Pleasant Hill CA area and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many Pleasant Hill CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Pleasant Hill CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest 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 clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Pleasant Hill CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate may indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Pleasant Hill CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Pleasant Hill CA programs you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to 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 College Located?  Of course, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Pleasant Hill CA home, you have to make certain that the driving 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, particularly if the school is located in or close by 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 fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's imperative that you find out if the vet colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Pleasant Hill CA. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Technologist in Pleasant Hill

Enroll in the Best Pleasant Hill Veterinary Technologist Program

Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into veterinary technician schools must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the best school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Pleasant Hill California.

 

Pleasant Hill Vet Tech Programs | Pleasant Hill How To Become A Vet Tech