Vet Tech Schools near Parker Dam CA 92267

How to Choose a Veterinary Assistant Training near Parker Dam California

Parker Dam CA vet tech holding dog during examFulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary program near Parker Dam CA may initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the right choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their homes. After they have found some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the different duties of veterinary techs and assistants and the training options offered.

The Role of a Veterinary Tech and Assistant

Parker Dam CA vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyAmong the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Parker Dam CA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialization.

  • Vet Assistants in most instances will have completed 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 near Parker Dam CA. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
  • Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and normally earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes four years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work 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 urgent care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Parker Dam CA area research facilities also.

Online Vet Colleges

attending vet tech school online in Parker Dam CAAn approach that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at an area Parker Dam CA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech or assistant school may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Vet Assistant and Technologist Degree Programs

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Parker Dam CABy now 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 veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in California and across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the Parker Dam CA veterinary assistant and technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet assistant or technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Parker Dam CA vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation?  The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Parker Dam CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with regional veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local Parker Dam CA vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary tech or assistant college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate could indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the Parker Dam CA college has an outstanding reputation within the vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are larger in size, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Parker Dam CA schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located?  Yes, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from home or work, you have to 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the Parker Dam CA college is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do decide 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, taking online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the California vet schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered near Parker Dam CA before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Vet Assistant?

When preparing to interview for a veterinary job, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask veterinary prospects is "What made you choose veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming a veterinary technician, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to veterinary care, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must ready several ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding vet tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Pick the Right Veterinary Technologist College near Parker Dam CA

Choosing the appropriate veterinary assistant or tech program is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students thinking about vet assistant or tech colleges must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary techs, assistants and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to online vet tech colleges 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 decision. And by selecting the ideal program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet assistant, technician or technologist in Parker Dam CA.

A Little Bit About Parker Dam CA

Parker Dam

Parker Dam is a concrete arch-gravity dam that crosses the Colorado River 155 miles (249 km) downstream of Hoover Dam. Built between 1934 and 1938 by the Bureau of Reclamation, it is 320 feet (98 m) high, 235 feet (72 m) of which are below the riverbed, making it the deepest dam in the world. The dam's primary functions are to create a reservoir, and to generate hydroelectric power. The reservoir behind the dam is called Lake Havasu and can store 647,000 acre⋅ft (798,000,000 m3) or over 210 billion US gallons. The dam straddles the state border at the narrows the river passes through between the Whipple Mountains of California and the Buckskin Mountains of Arizona.[1]

The power plant has four Francis turbines with a combined capacity of 120 MW. Each turbine weighs 60,000 pounds. The head is 72 feet (22 m). It produces electricity at 97 percent efficiency. Half of the electricity the plant produces is used by the Metropolitan Water District to pump water along the Colorado River Aqueduct, and the rest is sold to utilities in California, Arizona and Nevada. The generation of power is limited by a requirement to keep the water level of Lake Havasu between 440 and 450 feet (134 to 137 meters) for proper operation of pumping plants for the Central Arizona Project and the Colorado River Aqueduct.[2]

Lake Havasu is the water source for the Colorado River Aqueduct. The aqueduct is operated by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which supplies water to almost all cities in the greater Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and San Diego areas. The district paid for nearly the entire cost of the dam, but it is owned and operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.[2]

 

 

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