Veterinary Technician Degree
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Temple City California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Temple City CA to fulfill your lifelong goal to help and provide medical treatment for our pets may initially feel like an overwhelming challenge. But to be successful as a practicing veterinary technician, you need to first search for and ultimately enroll in a program that will provide the required education and training. And in order to pick the right one you must research and compare all of the schools you are considering. Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. When they have located some local colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The bottom line is that before making a selection, you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all relevant qualifications of the schools you are assessing. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll talk about the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

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 desire to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Temple City CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through 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 vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and normally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex duties, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years to complete. 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 work opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered

An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Temple City CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs

By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you prefer 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 Temple City CA area and across the USA, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited?  It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for a number of Temple City CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online 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 grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Temple City CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Temple City CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Temple City CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate 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, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Temple City CA schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we already talked about 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 Temple City CA home, you have to 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could 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 imperative that you find out if the veterinary programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Temple City 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 available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Find Out More About Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Temple City

Chosse the Best Temple City Vet Technologist Program

Picking the ideal veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students looking into veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Temple City California.

 

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