Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Rocklin California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Rocklin CA to fulfill your lifelong goal to help and provide medical treatment for our pets may from the start seem like an enormous task. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you need to first locate and ultimately enroll in a school that will provide the required education and training. But just how do you go about assessing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. When they have identified some area schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. The bottom line is that before making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the schools you are examining. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll explore the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

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 determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Rocklin CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and training requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians go through more advanced 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 vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years. So the main distinction 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 additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

At this point you should have selected which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Rocklin CA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want 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 considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's important that you verify that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Rocklin CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Rocklin CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Rocklin CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the Rocklin CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Rocklin CA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students regarding 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 Campus Located?  Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Rocklin CA home, you need 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 college is located close by or within 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 increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough 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 Rocklin CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Rocklin

Enroll in the Best Rocklin Vet Technologist College

Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech program is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering vet tech programs must make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Rocklin California.

 

Rocklin Vet Tech Colleges | Rocklin Veterinary Technician Schools