Vet Tech Schools in Bakersfield, CA

About the School

San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) is a school that prepares individuals for professional success in the medical, business, and technical fields.

They serve a diverse student population by providing career-focused higher education.

Through hands-on training and academic instruction, they want to promote student development and achieve measurable learning outcomes to meet the educational and employment needs of the communities they serve.

Offering both onsite and online classes, they are institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

They have multiple campus locations throughout California and all are approved by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education.

Courses Offered

The Veterinary Technology Program is designed to educate students about the duties of a vet tech working alongside a veterinarian.

It aims to teach the following skills:

• How to calculate dosages, prepare, and dispense medications
• How to implement anesthetic plans for diagnostic, surgical, or therapeutic procedures
• How to conduct and interpret laboratory tests and procedures
• How to manage surgical patients before, during, and after operations
• How to do a Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment and other dental procedures
• How to perform radiography
• How to evaluate a patient that needs emergency care

It also covers the following:

• Professionalism in terms of appearance, behavior, and attitudes
• Concepts of communication, ethical behavior, reasoning, appropriate interpersonal interactions, and critical analysis

This Associate Degree program can be completed in as few as 19 months.

Upon successful completion, graduates can work in animal hospitals, private clinics, educational institutions, laboratories, farms, zoos, and humane societies.

About the School

Bakersfield College is one of the oldest continually operating community colleges in the U.S.

Founded in 1913, they are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution and serve 33,000 students each year.

Their mission is to provide opportunities for students from diverse educational, cultural, and economic backgrounds to attain degrees and certificates, employment skills, and preparation for transfer.

Through their rigorous and supportive learning environment, they want to promote equity and foster critical thinking, effective communication, and skill competencies for success.

They offer 234 degree and certificate programs in a broad range of fields of study, including Agriculture, Arts, Business, Education, Health Sciences, and STEM.

They are accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Courses Offered

The Registered Veterinary Technicians Job Skills Certificate Program equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to start a career as a registered veterinary technician.

It features a wide range of topics, such as:

• Animal anatomy and physiology
• Pharmacology
• Surgical Nursing
• Diagnostic imaging
• Laboratory procedures

Taught by experienced faculty and staff, it involves hands-on training in a real-world setting.

To obtain a registered vet tech license, students have to complete the following courses:

• Introduction to Veterinary Technology
• Surgical, Dental, Anesthesiology
• Clinical Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Small Animal Diseases
• Large Animal Diseases
• Radiology, Ultrasound, Diagnostic Imaging
• Caged Birds, Lab Animals, Exotic Animal Medicine
• Emergency Medicine

They also have to complete 4,600 hours of work experience in veterinary hospitals.

Upon graduation, career opportunities include working in veterinary hospitals, practices, or clinics, research facilities, zoos, and animal shelters.

About the School

Regional Occupation Center is a public education career training institution that offers courses designed to prepare students for entry-level employment.

Opened in 1985, they welcome high school juniors, seniors, and adults who want to develop or improve job skills.

Through the use of problem-based earning models, they provide knowledge and application of technical competencies.

They also educate and train in workplace safety, appearance, attendance, written and verbal communications, proper job search techniques, career exploration, and understanding employer expectations.

Offering daytime programs and evening programs, they want their students to get a head start on a career path.

They are committed to delivering exemplary career education that provides opportunities for students to develop professional behavior with technical and workplace skills to achieve success in college and their careers.

Courses Offered

The Veterinary Science Program provides professional certification opportunities for Precision Veterinary Technology, the California Veterinary Medical Association, and others.

It covers entry-level animal science topics and animal physiology.

It aims to teach students the following:

• Comparative anatomy and physiology
• Veterinary terminology
• Basic pet grooming skills
• Animal behavior and observation
• Animal handling and restraint
• Large, small, and exotic animal care
• Disease studies and human/animal issues
• Species and breed identification
• Hospital operations
• Animal welfare and ethics

It requires classroom instruction and laboratory hours at the School Veterinary Science, a farm, and a veterinary teaching hospital.