Veterinary Technician Training
How to Find the Best One Near Port Hueneme California

Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Port Hueneme CA could initially feel like an overwhelming task. But in order to succeed as a practicing veterinary technician, you must first locate and finally enroll in a program that will provide the required education and training. And in order to pick the right one you must evaluate and compare all of the schools you are considering. When checking out vet tech programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes. Once they have located some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when comparing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are considering before you make a final choice. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll go over the various roles of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Tech Education Options

One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can carry out within the Port Hueneme CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, 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 vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved activities, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental 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, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Port Hueneme CA labs or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered

An option that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Port Hueneme CA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for instance for traveling and study materials, may be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools

By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Port Hueneme CA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's essential that you verify that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Port Hueneme CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and checking with 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 targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Port Hueneme CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Port Hueneme CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate could signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the Port Hueneme CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may 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 sized, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Port Hueneme CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Port Hueneme CA home, you must make sure that the commuting time is compatible with 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 campus is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Port Hueneme CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You may find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Tech in Port Hueneme

Enroll in the Right Port Hueneme Veterinary Technologist Program

Picking the appropriate vet tech school is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician colleges must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's very important 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 programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Port Hueneme California.

 

Port Hueneme Veterinary Technician Schools | Port Hueneme Online Vet Tech Programs