Veterinary Technician College
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Rohnert Park California

Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Rohnert Park CA might initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. And in order to pick the best one you must research and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. When looking for vet tech programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes. When they have identified some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when evaluating vet tech programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. The bottom line is that before making a selection, you must finish your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the programs you are reviewing. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll talk about the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Tech Degree Options

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination 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 specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Rohnert Park CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a trade 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. Normally they are not involved with more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent 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 functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Rohnert Park CA laboratories or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered

An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Rohnert Park CA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for travel and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

By now you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Rohnert Park CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's important that you verify that the vet tech college 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). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a precondition for employment for many Rohnert Park CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian 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 pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Rohnert Park CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more 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. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Rohnert Park CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate may signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Rohnert Park CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly 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 probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Rohnert Park CA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Rohnert Park CA home, you must confirm 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located near or in a large 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 costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Rohnert Park CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain 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 school is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Tech in Rohnert Park

Enroll in the Best Rohnert Park Veterinary Technologist Program

Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician colleges must make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Rohnert Park California.

 

Rohnert Park Veterinary Technician Schools | Rohnert Park Online Vet Tech Programs