Veterinary Technician Degree
How to Choose the Best One Near Santa Cruz California

Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Santa Cruz CA could initially seem like a challenging undertaking. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you need to first search for and finally 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 all of the schools you have placed on your short list. When looking for vet tech schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes. Once they have identified some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when comparing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss 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 Training Options

One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can perform within the Santa Cruz CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and education requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from 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. Generally they are not involved with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and typically earn 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 veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complicated functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Santa Cruz CA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Santa Cruz CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet 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 complaints or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Santa Cruz CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Santa Cruz CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Santa Cruz CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well 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 most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Santa Cruz CA schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Santa Cruz CA home, you have to make sure 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do opt 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. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's imperative that you find out if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Santa Cruz CA. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Santa Cruz

Chosse the Right Santa Cruz Veterinary Technologist Program

Choosing the appropriate vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students thinking about vet tech schools need to make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Santa Cruz California.

 

Santa Cruz Vet Tech Colleges | Santa Cruz Veterinary Technician Schools