Vet Technician Degree Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Santa Ana California

Realizing your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Santa Ana CA could at first feel like an overwhelming task. But to be successful as a practicing veterinary technician, you must first locate and finally enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training and education. But just how do you approach analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the proper choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their residences. When they have found some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when evaluating vet tech programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated also. The bottom line is that before making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the schools you are assessing. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll go over the various roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

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Vet Tech Training Options

Among the first decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many duties that they can carry out within the Santa Ana CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a vocational 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 tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and generally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Santa Ana CA labs or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Schools Available

An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Santa Ana CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. 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 fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Vet Tech Colleges

At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Santa Ana CA area and across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as 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 factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It's essential that you make sure that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many Santa Ana CA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Santa Ana CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Santa Ana CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Santa Ana CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Santa Ana CA colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Of course, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Santa Ana CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Santa Ana CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Tech in Santa Ana

Chosse the Right Santa Ana Vet Technologist Program

Picking the appropriate veterinary technician program is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students thinking about vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it's imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices 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 Santa Ana California.

 

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