Vet Technician College
How to Enroll In the Right One Near San Anselmo California

Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near San Anselmo CA might initially seem like a daunting endeavor. 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 necessary training and education. And so that you pick the best one you must evaluate and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. When looking for vet tech schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes. When they have located some nearby schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The bottom line is that prior to making a selection, you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the schools you are assessing. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the varied roles of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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Vet Tech Education Options

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can perform within the San Anselmo CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, 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 technicians in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. 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 job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination 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 earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  San Anselmo CA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered

An alternative that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local San Anselmo CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, such as for commuting and study materials, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges

By now you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the San Anselmo CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It's essential that you verify that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of San Anselmo CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating 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 violations involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some San Anselmo CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with San Anselmo CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the San Anselmo CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the San Anselmo CA schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your San Anselmo CA home, you have to make certain 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 in or near a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near San Anselmo CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Vet Technician in San Anselmo

Chosse the Right San Anselmo Vet Technologist College

Enrolling in the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating 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 veterinary technician in San Anselmo California.

 

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