Vet Technician Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Westmont California

Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Westmont CA may initially feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must find and enroll in a college that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. And so that you pick the right 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 colleges that are close to their residences. When they have found some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important factors when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we'll go over the various 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 need to make is if you desire 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 principal determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many jobs that they can perform within the Westmont CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let's take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

• Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
• Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and usually earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Westmont CA labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered

An alternative that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Westmont CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses 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 vet tech program may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Westmont CA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited?  It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Westmont CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinarian college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Westmont CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Westmont CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships 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 college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the Westmont CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Westmont CA colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Westmont CA home, you must make sure 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, particularly if the college is located in or near a larger city. In addition, 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 particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are considering 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 Westmont CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Learn More About How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Westmont

Enroll in the Best Westmont Veterinary Technologist Program

Choosing the right vet tech program is an important first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students thinking about veterinary technician schools must make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients 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 colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Westmont California.

 

Westmont Veterinary Technician Schools | Westmont Online Vet Tech Programs