Vet Technician Training
How to Choose the Right One Near Pleasanton California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Pleasanton CA to fulfill your passionate goal to work with and care for animals might from the start feel like an enormous challenge. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the proper selection? When checking out vet tech schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes. Once they have identified some area schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when assessing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally 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 important aspects of the programs you are examining. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll go over the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians 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 whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many duties that they can carry out within the Pleasanton CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists 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 education requirements for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a structured 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 techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared with assistants and generally obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered

An option that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Pleasanton CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, such as for travel and study supplies, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished 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 ideal option for you.

What to Ask Vet Tech Programs

At this point you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Pleasanton CA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's important that you confirm that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Pleasanton CA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Pleasanton CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Pleasanton CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate might suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Pleasanton CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Pleasanton CA programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Pleasanton CA home, you must make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school 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 charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough 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 Pleasanton CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Vet Technician in Pleasanton

Chosse the Right Pleasanton Veterinary Technologist School

Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students looking into veterinary technician colleges must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative tasks 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 outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online 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 decision. And by choosing the ideal college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Pleasanton California.

 

Pleasanton Veterinary Technician Schools | Pleasanton Online Vet Tech Programs