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

Fulfilling your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Vacaville CA could at first feel like a daunting undertaking. But to be successful as a practicing veterinary technician, you need to first search for and finally enroll in a program that will provide the necessary education and training. And in order to pick the best one you must research and compare all of the schools you have placed on your short list. When checking out vet tech schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes. When they have located some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when assessing vet tech programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are considering before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Tech Training Options

Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Vacaville CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let's take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice 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 vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
• Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared with assistants and normally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
• Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Vacaville CA laboratories or research facilities also.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Vacaville CA area and across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's important that you verify that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, 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 confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many Vacaville CA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The vet college or trade school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Vacaville CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Vacaville CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Vacaville CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low 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. Solicit from the Vacaville CA programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Vacaville CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough 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 Vacaville CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Learn More About Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Vacaville

Chosse the Right Vacaville Veterinary Technologist Program

Picking the right veterinary technician college is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering vet tech schools must make their determination based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's imperative that you decide on 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 evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Vacaville California.

 

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