Vet Technician School
How to Select the Right One Near Santa Clarita California

Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Santa Clarita CA might at first feel like a daunting task. But in order to succeed as a practicing veterinary technician, you must first search for and finally enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training and education. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the right choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their homes. When they have identified some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. The bottom line is that prior to making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all pertinent qualifications of the schools you are reviewing. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll go over the different duties 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

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main determiner will most likely 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 practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of duties that they can carry out within the Santa Clarita CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex activities, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years to complete. Therefore 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, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Santa Clarita CA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It's important that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. 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 thorough review process that verifies you will get a superior 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 colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Santa Clarita CA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online 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 violations relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Santa Clarita CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Santa Clarita CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Santa Clarita CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Santa Clarita CA programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Santa Clarita CA home, you have to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's essential that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Santa Clarita CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Learn More About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Santa Clarita

Chosse the Right Santa Clarita Vet Technologist School

Picking the right vet tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into vet tech schools need to make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided 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 college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Santa Clarita California.

 

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