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

Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Redwood City CA could initially seem like a challenging endeavor. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you need to first search for and ultimately enroll in a school that will provide the necessary education and training. And so that you pick the right one you must evaluate and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their homes. When they have located some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are considering before you make a final choice. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Tech Training 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 devote to your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of tasks that they can carry out within the Redwood City CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing 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 undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and generally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and possible 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. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Redwood City CA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered

An option that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Redwood City CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school 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 provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

At this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Redwood City CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Redwood City CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Redwood City CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Redwood City CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Redwood City CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not highly 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 probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Redwood City CA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to 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?  Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Redwood City CA home, you must make sure that the driving time fits into 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 college is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's important that you find out if the vet schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Redwood City CA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Vet Technologist in Redwood City

Enroll in the Best Redwood City Veterinary Technologist School

Selecting the ideal vet tech school is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about vet tech schools must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you choose 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 included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Redwood City California.

 

Redwood City Veterinary Technician Schools | Redwood City Online Vet Tech Programs