Veterinary Technician College
How to Pick the Best One Near San Gabriel California

Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near San Gabriel CA might initially feel like a challenging task. But to be successful as a practicing veterinary technician, you must first locate and finally enroll in a program that will provide the required training and education. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their homes. After they have identified some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when assessing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you need to complete your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the programs you are reviewing. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the different roles of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

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Vet Technician Degree Options

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many jobs that they can perform within the San Gabriel CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and generally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  San Gabriel CA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Available

An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local San Gabriel CA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for travel and study materials, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

By now you should have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the San Gabriel CA area and across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for many San Gabriel CA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some San Gabriel CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with San Gabriel CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the San Gabriel CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the San Gabriel CA colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback 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 School Located?  Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your San Gabriel CA home, you must make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may 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 essential that you find out if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near San Gabriel CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or 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 may miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Learn More About How to Become a Veterinary Tech in San Gabriel

Chosse the Right San Gabriel Vet Technologist Program

Selecting the right vet tech program is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in San Gabriel California.

 

San Gabriel Veterinary Technician Schools | San Gabriel Online Vet Tech Programs