Veterinary Technician Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Whittier California

Achieving your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Whittier CA may at first seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the right selection? When checking out vet tech schools, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes. Once they have located some area colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when assessing vet tech programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered as well. The main point is that before making a selection, you need to carry out your due diligence and compare all important qualifications of the schools you are assessing. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we'll discuss the different duties of vet techs and the training options available.

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

Vet Technician Degree Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if 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 commit to your training, but the principal 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 direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Whittier CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let's take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each position.

• Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal 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 veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
• Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work 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 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  Whittier CA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Schools Available

An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Whittier CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Vet Tech Schools

At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Whittier CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited?  It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly regarded 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 confirms you will obtain 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 available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Whittier CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College's Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet 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 complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Whittier CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Whittier CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Whittier CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Whittier CA colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Yes, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Whittier CA home, you have to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located close by or within a large 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 higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it's essential that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Whittier CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered 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 discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Learn More About How to Become a Vet Technician in Whittier

Enroll in the Right Whittier Veterinary Technologist School

Picking the ideal vet tech program is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students considering veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it's imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Whittier California.

 

Whittier Veterinary Technician Schools | Whittier Online Vet Tech Programs