Veterinary Technician Training
How to Select the Best One Near Porterville California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Porterville CA to fulfill your passionate goal to help and care for our pets may initially seem like an enormous challenge. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you must first search for and ultimately enroll in a school that will provide the necessary education and training. And in order to pick the right one you must research and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their homes. After they have located some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. The bottom line is that before making a selection, you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the schools you are reviewing. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll talk about the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Tech Education Options

Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will probably be which specialty 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 numerous jobs that they can perform within the Porterville CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, 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 vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary techs 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  Porterville CA labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered

An approach that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Porterville CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for travel and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Porterville CA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Porterville CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Porterville CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Porterville CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. 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 invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Porterville CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not well 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 may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Porterville CA programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Porterville CA home, you need to confirm 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the vet schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Porterville CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your active life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Technician in Porterville

Chosse the Right Porterville Veterinary Technologist College

Choosing the appropriate vet tech college is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students looking into vet tech schools need to make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it's imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. 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 options so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Porterville California.

 

Porterville Vet Tech Programs | Porterville How To Become A Vet Tech