Veterinary Technician Degree Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Pleasanton California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Pleasanton CA to fulfill your passionate goal to help and provide medical treatment for our pets might from the start seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. And in order to pick the best one you must evaluate and compare each of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. After they have located some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated also. The bottom line is that prior to making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the programs you are examining. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

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

Vet Tech Degree Options

Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can perform within the Pleasanton CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. 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 get more advanced training compared with assistants and usually 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 function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered

An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical 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, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

By now you should have decided on 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, trade and vocational schools in the Pleasanton CA area and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's essential that you verify that the vet tech 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). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Pleasanton CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet 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 tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Pleasanton CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs established with Pleasanton CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied 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 could mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Pleasanton CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Pleasanton CA colleges you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Pleasanton CA home, you need to make certain that the commuting time fits into 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 school is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend 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 online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's essential that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Pleasanton CA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Technologist in Pleasanton

Enroll in the Right Pleasanton Vet Technologist College

Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician college is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about veterinary technician colleges must make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Pleasanton California.

 

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