How to Find the Right Vet Tech School near Tehachapi California
Realizing your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet program near Tehachapi CA may at first feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you approach analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the correct choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. After they have found some local colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are considering before you make a final choice. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different roles of veterinary assistants and techs and the training alternatives available.
The Job of a Vet Tech and Assistant
One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many duties that they can perform within the Tehachapi CA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed a structured 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 near Tehachapi CA. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
- Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to assistants and normally 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 fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Tehachapi CA area research facilities also.
Veterinary Online Training Classes
An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Tehachapi CA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, such as 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 certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet technician or assistant program may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Vet Assistant and Technologist Colleges
By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian certificate or degree that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in California and across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the Tehachapi CA veterinary assistant and tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary assistant or tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier 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 undergone a demanding review process that verifies 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 programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Tehachapi CA vet practices and hospitals.
What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Tehachapi CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get 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 experience as a vet assistant or technician is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with area veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local Tehachapi CA veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary tech or assistant program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the Tehachapi CA college has an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Tehachapi CA colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from work or home, you have to confirm 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, especially if the Tehachapi CA college is located near or in 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 charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you find out if the California veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate 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 may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available near Tehachapi CA before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.
Why Did You Want to Be a Vet Assistant?
When prepping to interview for a veterinary job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask veterinary candidates is "What made you pick veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming a vet tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you must organize a number of approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an excellent vet tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.Pick the Right Vet Technologist Degree Program near Tehachapi CA
Enrolling in the right vet assistant or tech school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary tech or assistant programs must make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary techs, assistants and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals 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 vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, tech or technologist in Tehachapi CA.
A Little Bit About Tehachapi CA
Tehachapi, California
Tehachapi /təˈhætʃəpi/ is a city in Kern County, California, in the Tehachapi Mountains, at an elevation of 3,970 feet (1,210 m)[6] between the San Joaquin Valley and the Mojave Desert.
Tehachapi is 35 miles (56 km) east-southeast of Bakersfield,[9] and west of Mojave. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.0 square miles (26 km2) and a population of 14,414.
The Tehachapi area is known for the nearby Tehachapi Loop (a popular railfan site), Tehachapi Pass Wind Farm, the Indian Point Ostrich Ranch, the Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park and Tomi-Kahni Resource Center (Native American),[10] and excellent air conditions for gliding. Ten miles to the west at Keene, is the National Chavez Center,[11] established to share the legacy of Cesar Chavez.
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