How to Select a Vet Assistant School near Sylmar California
Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinarian school near Sylmar CA might initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you approach assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the proper choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their homes. After they have located some local colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the various roles of veterinary techs and assistants and the training options available.
The Responsibilities of a Vet Assistant and Tech
Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main determiner will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Sylmar CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each position.
- Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Sylmar CA. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and usually obtain a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Sylmar CA area research facilities also.
Veterinarian Online Colleges
An option that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at an area Sylmar CA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for traveling and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary tech or assistant program may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Vet Assistant and Tech Training Programs
At this point you should have determined which veterinary certificate or degree that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in California as well as across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the Sylmar CA veterinary assistant and technician programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary assistant or tech college you select 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 gone through a demanding review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Sylmar CA veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references 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 infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Sylmar CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech or assistant is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with area veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local Sylmar CA veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary assistant or technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the Sylmar CA college has an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Sylmar CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students regarding 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 Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary assistant classes from work or home, you must make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the Sylmar CA college is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the California veterinary programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered near Sylmar CA before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.
Why Did You Choose to Be a Vet Technician?
When preparing to interview for a veterinary job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask veterinary candidates is "What made you decide on veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being a vet tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an excellent vet tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.Pick the Best Vet Tech Program near Sylmar CA
Picking the appropriate vet assistant or tech program is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for animals. Students thinking about vet tech or assistant schools must make their selection based on a number of key issues. Vet assistants, techs and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet assistant, technician or technologist in Sylmar CA.
A Little Bit About Sylmar CA
Sylmar, Los Angeles
Sylmar is a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. Historically known for its profusion of olive orchards, Sylmar can trace its past to the 18th century and the founding of the San Fernando Mission. In 1890 olive production was begun in a systematic manner. The Sylmar climate was also considered healthy, and so a sanitarium was established, the first in a series of hospitals in the neighborhood. There are fourteen public and eight private schools within Sylmar.
The population of the Sylmar area was roughly 3,500 in 1940, 10,000 in 1950, 31,000 in 1962,[1] 40,000 in 1972,[2] 41,922 in 1980[3] and 53,392 in 1986.[4] By 2000, a "wave of immigrants and working poor" had enveloped Sylmar, Pacoima, Arleta and Sun Valley, resulting in a housing shortage for lower-income people.[5] The 2000 U.S. census counted 69,499 residents in the 12.46-square-mile Sylmar neighborhood—or 5,579 people per square mile, among the lowest population densities for the city. In 2008, the city estimated that the population had increased to 79,614.[6] In 2009, the Sylmar Chamber of Commerce estimated that the population was approximately 90,000 residents.[7]
In 1980 Sylmar was predominantly white,[3] the ethnic breakdown being 58% white and 36% Latino.[8] Twenty years later, in 2000, the neighborhood was considered "moderately diverse" ethnically within Los Angeles, with a relatively high percentage of Latinos. The breakdown in 2000 was Latinos, 69.8%; whites, 20.7%; blacks, 4.1%; Asians, 3.4%, and others, 2.0%. Mexico (71.7%) and El Salvador (8.4%) were the most common places of birth for the 36.7% of the residents who were born abroad—an average figure for Los Angeles. In 2000 the median age for residents was 28, considered young for city and county neighborhoods.[6]
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