Veterinary Technician School
How to Find the Best One Near Woodland Hills California

Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech college near Woodland Hills CA might at first feel like a daunting task. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the right choice? When checking out vet tech programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes. After they have found some local schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when evaluating vet technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated as well. The bottom line is that before making a selection, you must finish your due diligence and compare all pertinent aspects of the schools you are evaluating. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we'll explore the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

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

Vet Technician Training Options

Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main factor will probably be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of jobs that they can perform within the Woodland Hills CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can't prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters 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 completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
• Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
• Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist's higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in  Woodland Hills CA labs or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Programs Available

An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Woodland Hills CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for example for commuting and study supplies, can be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools

At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Woodland Hills CA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited?  It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for many Woodland Hills CA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School's Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Woodland Hills CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Woodland Hills CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied 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 may indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Woodland Hills CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Woodland Hills CA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Yes, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Woodland Hills CA home, you must 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 college is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Woodland Hills CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family issues. You may find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Learn More About Becoming a Vet Technician in Woodland Hills

Chosse the Best Woodland Hills Veterinary Technologist College

Choosing the ideal veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician schools must make their decision based on multiple key factors. 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 animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it's essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Woodland Hills California.

 

Woodland Hills Veterinary Technician Schools | Woodland Hills Online Vet Tech Programs