Vet Tech Schools near Concord CA 94518

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician College near Concord California

Concord CA vet tech holding dog during examAchieving your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinarian college near Concord CA may at first feel like a challenging endeavor. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. Once they have located some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the varied roles of veterinary techs and assistants and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician and Assistant

Concord CA vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyOne of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Concord CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each position.

  • Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Concord CA. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
  • Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared with assistants and typically earn 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 general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved activities, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Concord CA area research facilities as well.

Online Vet Programs

attending vet tech school online in Concord CAAn alternative that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at an area Concord CA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for traveling and study materials, 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 practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech or assistant school may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Degree Programs

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Concord CAAt this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in California and across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on 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 enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the Concord CA veterinary technician and assistant schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary assistant or tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many Concord CA veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation?  The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on 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 grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Concord CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with regional veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local Concord CA vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet assistant or technician school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate could mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the Concord CA program has an outstanding reputation within the vet 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 bigger, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Concord CA schools you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located?  Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary tech classes from home or work, you must make sure that the commuting time is compatible with 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 Concord CA campus is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible?  And last, it’s essential that you find out if the California veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available near Concord CA prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Vet Assistant?

When prepping to interview for a veterinary position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask veterinary applicants is "What made you choose veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming a vet tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to veterinary care, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready some approaches about how you want to address them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding vet tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Pick the Right Veterinary Technician School near Concord CA

Selecting the ideal vet assistant or tech program is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students looking into veterinary assistant or tech colleges must make their determination based on several key issues. Vet techs, assistants and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the best college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist in Concord CA.

A Little Bit About Concord CA

Concord, California

Concord (/ˈkɒŋkɔːrd/ KONG-kord)[11] is the largest city in Contra Costa County, California. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 122,067 making it the 8th largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area.[12][13] Founded in 1869 as the community of Todos Santos by Salvio Pacheco, the name was changed to Concord within months. The city is a major regional suburban East Bay center within the San Francisco Bay Area, and is 29 miles (47 kilometres) east of San Francisco.

Concord is located at 37°58′41″N 122°01′52″W / 37.97806°N 122.03111°W / 37.97806; -122.03111.[11] It is 29 miles (47 kilometres) northeast of San Francisco, 22 miles (35 km) northeast from Oakland, 65 miles (105 km) southwest of Sacramento, and 51 miles (82 km) north of San Jose.[15]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.5 square miles (79 km2), all of it land.

 

 

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