Veterinary Technician College
How to Choose the Right One Near San Pedro California

Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near San Pedro CA might at first feel like a daunting undertaking. But in order to succeed as a practicing veterinary technician, you need to first locate and ultimately enroll in a program that will provide the required education and training. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the right choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their residences. After they have found some local colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when assessing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Tech Education Options

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many jobs that they can perform within the San Pedro CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and usually earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires 4 years to complete. So the main 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 potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  San Pedro CA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Schools Available

An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local San Pedro CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for travel and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. 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 option for you.

Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs

At this point you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the San Pedro CA area and across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier 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 undergone an extensive screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for many San Pedro CA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement 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 department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some San Pedro CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with San Pedro CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical 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 can also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied 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 mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the San Pedro CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the San Pedro CA programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to 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?  Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your San Pedro 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, particularly if the school is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's essential that you find out if the veterinary programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near San Pedro CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your active life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in San Pedro

Enroll in the Best San Pedro Veterinary Technologist College

Picking the ideal veterinary technician program is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals 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 assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in San Pedro California.

 

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