Veterinary Technician Degree
How to Select the Best One Near San Luis Obispo California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near San Luis Obispo CA to fulfill your passionate goal to work with and care for animals might from the start seem like an overwhelming challenge. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. And in order to pick the best one you must evaluate and compare each of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. Once they have located some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when assessing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll talk about the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

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Vet Technician Education Options

Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might 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 techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of tasks that they can carry out within the San Luis Obispo CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from 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 completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and usually obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  San Luis Obispo CA laboratories or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered

An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local San Luis Obispo CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for commuting and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

At this point you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the San Luis Obispo CA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's essential that you make sure that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, 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 review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for many San Luis Obispo CA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some San Luis Obispo CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with San Luis Obispo CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate might suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the San Luis Obispo CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the San Luis Obispo CA schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning 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 talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your San Luis Obispo CA home, you need to make certain 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, particularly if the campus is located in or near 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 charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near San Luis Obispo CA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the best way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Vet Technician in San Luis Obispo

Chosse the Best San Luis Obispo Vet Technologist School

Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician program is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students thinking about vet tech schools need to make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and assist 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 field. 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 options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in San Luis Obispo California.

 

San Luis Obispo Veterinary Technician Schools | San Luis Obispo Online Vet Tech Programs