Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Select the Best One Near Stanford California

Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Stanford CA could at first feel like an overwhelming task. But to be successful as a working veterinary technician, you must first locate and finally enroll in a school that will provide the required education and training. And in order to pick the best one you must research and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. After they have found some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when assessing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are considering before you make a final decision. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the different responsibilities of vet techs 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 have to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many jobs that they can perform within the Stanford CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved activities, 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 handling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and usually obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

At this point you should have selected which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Stanford CA area and across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Stanford CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with 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 regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Stanford CA vet 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 there Internship Programs?  The best way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Stanford CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate could signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Stanford CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify 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, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Stanford CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Stanford CA home, you must make certain that the driving 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 campus is located in or close by a larger 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 higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, 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 finally, it's important that you determine if the vet schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Stanford CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Stanford

Chosse the Best Stanford Veterinary Technologist College

Enrolling in the right veterinary technician school is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students considering veterinary technician programs must make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to 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 choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Stanford California.

 

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