Veterinary Technician Training Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Walnut Creek California

Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Walnut Creek CA could initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. But in order to succeed as a working veterinary technician, you need to first search for and finally enroll in a school that will provide the required education and training. And in order to pick the best one you must evaluate and compare each of the schools you are considering. Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their residences. After they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. The bottom line is that prior to making a selection, you must finish your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the programs you are examining. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the varied duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

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

Vet Tech Degree Options

One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can perform within the Walnut Creek CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, 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 techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to 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 equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may 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  Walnut Creek CA labs or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered

An approach that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Walnut Creek CA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for traveling and study materials, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges

At this point you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Walnut Creek CA area and across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet School Accredited?  It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, 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 rigorous screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Walnut Creek CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Walnut Creek CA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

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

Is Job Assistance Offered?  Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate might signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Walnut Creek CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might 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 most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Walnut Creek CA schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. 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 Campus Located?  Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Walnut Creek CA home, you need to make certain that the commuting 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, especially if the school is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Walnut Creek CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Learn More About Becoming a Vet Tech in Walnut Creek

Chosse the Best Walnut Creek Vet Technologist Program

Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician college is an important first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician schools need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks 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 goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Walnut Creek California.

 

Walnut Creek Veterinary Technician Schools | Walnut Creek Online Vet Tech Programs