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

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Santa Ana CA to fulfill your passionate desire to help and provide medical treatment for our pets may from the start seem like an enormous challenge. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you must first search for and ultimately enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training and education. And in order to pick the best one you must research and compare each of the schools you have placed on your short list. When checking out vet tech programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes. When they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important factors when assessing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are considering before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll go over the various responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

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

Vet Technician Training Options

One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Santa Ana CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated functions, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Santa Ana CA laboratories or research facilities also.

Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs

At this point you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Santa Ana CA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. 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 rigorous review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Santa Ana CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Santa Ana CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest 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 clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Santa Ana CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided?  Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate could signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Santa Ana CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Santa Ana CA colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Santa Ana CA home, you need to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are exploring 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 Santa Ana CA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet training into your active life.

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

Enroll in the Right Santa Ana Vet Technologist Program

Enrolling in the right veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician programs must make their determination based on several key issues. 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 animals as needed. As we have covered, it's very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Santa Ana California.

 

Santa Ana Vet Tech Schools Near Me | Santa Ana Vet Tech Programs