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

Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Stockton CA may initially feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you must locate and enroll in a school that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach analyzing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the proper selection? When checking out vet tech schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes. When they have found some local schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when evaluating vet technician programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Technician Degree Options

One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many duties that they can perform within the Stockton CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the conventional vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

• Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade 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 associated with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and usually earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally 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 vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required 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 earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Stockton CA labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered

An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Stockton CA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for travel and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Vet Tech Programs

At this point you should have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Stockton CA area and across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Stockton CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with 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 relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Stockton CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Stockton CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Stockton CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure 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. Find out from the Stockton CA schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech 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, especially if the campus 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 fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's important that you find out if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Stockton CA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Learn More About Becoming a Vet Technician in Stockton

Enroll in the Right Stockton Veterinary Technologist School

Selecting the right vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician programs must make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. 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 selection. And by choosing the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Stockton California.

 

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