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

Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Temecula CA might initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. And in order to pick the best one you must evaluate and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. Once they have located some nearby schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when evaluating vet technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. The bottom line is that prior to making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all important aspects of the programs you are examining. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll go over the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Technician Education Options

One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor 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 many functions that they can perform within the Temecula CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. 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 involved with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians go through more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician 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 mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

At this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like 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 Temecula CA area and across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Temecula CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The vet college or vocational school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Temecula CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Temecula CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Temecula CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Temecula CA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Temecula CA home, you must make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes might 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 important that you find out if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Temecula CA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family issues. You might find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Vet Tech in Temecula

Enroll in the Right Temecula Veterinary Technologist College

Choosing the ideal vet tech school is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students considering veterinary technician schools must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Temecula California.

 

Temecula Vet Tech Colleges | Temecula Veterinary Technician Schools