Vet Technician Training Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Redlands California

Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Redlands CA could initially feel like an overwhelming endeavor. But in order to succeed as a practicing veterinary technician, you need to first search for and finally enroll in a school that will provide the necessary 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 zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes. After they have located some area colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant considerations when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you need to complete your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the schools you are reviewing. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

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

Vet Technician Training Options

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Redlands CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice 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 execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and normally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental 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 tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered

An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Redlands CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for travel and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools

At this point you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Redlands CA area and across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, 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 an extensive review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Redlands CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary trade school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Redlands CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs established with Redlands CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Redlands CA vet community and has a considerable 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 ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Redlands CA colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Redlands CA home, you have to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's important that you determine if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Redlands CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Tech in Redlands

Enroll in the Best Redlands Vet Technologist Program

Choosing the appropriate vet tech college is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students considering veterinary technician programs must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for 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 selecting the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Redlands California.

 

Redlands Veterinary Technician Schools | Redlands Online Vet Tech Programs