Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Stockton California

Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Stockton CA could at first feel like a daunting endeavor. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you need to first locate and finally enroll in a program that will provide the necessary education and training. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing colleges so that you can make the best selection? When checking out vet tech schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes. After they have located some local schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you must complete your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the schools you are assessing. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll discuss the varied roles of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Tech Degree Options

One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Stockton CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast 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 vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires four years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Stockton CA laboratories or research facilities as well.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

At this point you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Stockton CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's essential that you make sure that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Stockton CA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Stockton CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The best approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Stockton CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Stockton CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower 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 larger in size, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Stockton CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Of course, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Stockton CA home, you must make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located close by or within 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 higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's important that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Stockton CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Learn More About Becoming a Vet Technologist in Stockton

Enroll in the Right Stockton Veterinary Technologist Program

Enrolling in the ideal vet tech school is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about veterinary technician colleges must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools 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 choice. And by picking the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Stockton California.

 

Stockton Vet Tech Colleges | Stockton Veterinary Technician Schools