Vet Technician Degree Program
How to Find the Best One Near Torrance California

Choosing a veterinary technician school near Torrance CA to achieve your heartfelt desire to help and care for animals may initially seem like an enormous task. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you must first search for and finally enroll in a program that will provide the required education and training. And so that you pick the right one you must research and compare all of the schools you are considering. Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their homes. After they have found some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant concerns when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The bottom line is that prior to making a selection, you must carry out your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the programs you are examining. We have furnished several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll explore the various 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

Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many tasks that they can perform within the Torrance CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialization.

• Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a structured 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 vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and normally obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally 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 engaged in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can 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  Torrance CA labs or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Available

An approach that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Torrance CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges

By now you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Torrance CA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, one of 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 screening process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Torrance CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Torrance CA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Torrance CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Torrance CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Torrance CA colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Torrance CA home, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's imperative that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Torrance CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Find Out More About How to Become a Vet Technologist in Torrance

Enroll in the Right Torrance Vet Technologist College

Picking the ideal vet tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Students thinking about vet tech programs must make their determination based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties 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 excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Torrance California.

 

Torrance Veterinary Technician Schools | Torrance Online Vet Tech Programs