Veterinary Technician Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Sunnyvale California

Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Sunnyvale CA might at first seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the right choice? When looking for vet tech programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes. After they have found some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important factors when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into also. The main point is that prior to making a selection, you must finish your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the schools you are evaluating. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll go over the various duties of vet techs and the training options available.

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

Vet Tech Education Options

Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can perform within the Sunnyvale CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, 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 technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared with assistants and usually 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 fundamental 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 functions, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally 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. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Sunnyvale CA labs or research facilities as well.

Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges

At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Sunnyvale CA area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Sunnyvale CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. 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 tips 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 complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Sunnyvale CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Sunnyvale CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate may suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm 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 outstanding reputation within the Sunnyvale CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Sunnyvale CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Sunnyvale CA home, you must make certain 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 school is located in or close by a larger 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 state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes 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 accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Sunnyvale CA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Technologist in Sunnyvale

Enroll in the Right Sunnyvale Veterinary Technologist School

Enrolling in the right vet tech school is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students thinking about vet tech schools need to make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it's essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the right school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Sunnyvale California.

 

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