Veterinary Technician School
How to Select the Best One Near Santa Clarita California

Realizing your long term goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Santa Clarita CA could initially seem like a daunting endeavor. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you need to first locate and ultimately enroll in a program that will provide the required training and education. But just how do you go about reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper selection? When looking for vet tech schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes. Once they have found some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. The main point is that before making a selection, you need to finish your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the schools you are evaluating. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll explore the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Technician Degree Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Santa Clarita CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared with assistants and generally obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function 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 example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years. So the main distinction 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 registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered

An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Santa Clarita CA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, such as for commuting and study materials, can be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech program may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs

At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Santa Clarita CA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech 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 undergone a demanding screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Santa Clarita CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Santa Clarita CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Santa Clarita CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Santa Clarita CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Santa Clarita CA programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Santa Clarita CA home, you must make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's important that you determine if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Santa Clarita CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or 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 because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Vet Technician in Santa Clarita

Enroll in the Right Santa Clarita Veterinary Technologist Program

Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician program is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students thinking about veterinary technician schools need to make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when 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 applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the best school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Santa Clarita California.

 

Santa Clarita Vet Tech Programs | Santa Clarita How To Become A Vet Tech