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How to Pick a Vet Tech Program near Athens Georgia

Athens GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Athens GA might at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the best selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. After they have located some area colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when assessing vet technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Athens GA

cat with cone after surgery in Athens GA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the Athens GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the typical veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian 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 included in more complex functions, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Athens GA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Athens

student attending online vet tech school in Athens GA An option that might make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Athens GA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech program may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Athens GA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Athens GA vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Athens GA area and across the USA, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously 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 an extensive review process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a requirement for employment for many Athens GA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Athens GA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Athens GA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate could signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Athens GA vet community and has a substantial 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 placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large 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. Solicit from the Athens GA colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Athens GA home, you need to confirm that the commuting 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 campus is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the vet schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Athens GA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, 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 way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Athens GA?

If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Athens Georgia area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.

Athens, Georgia

Athens, officially Athens–Clarke County, is a consolidated city–county and college town in the U.S. state of Georgia. Athens lies about 70 mi (113 km) northeast of downtown Atlanta. The University of Georgia, the state's flagship public university and a Tier I research institution, is in the city and contributed to its initial growth. In 1991, after a vote the preceding year, the original City of Athens abandoned its charter to form a unified government with Clarke County, referred to jointly as Athens–Clarke County.[4] As of 2017[update], the U.S. Census Bureau's estimated population of the consolidated city-county (all of Clarke County except Winterville and a portion of Bogart) was 125,691; the entire county including Winterville and Bogart had a population of 127,064.[5] Athens is the sixth-largest city in Georgia, and the principal city of the Athens metropolitan area,[6] which had a 2017 estimated population of 209,271, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.[7] It is a component of the larger Atlanta–Athens–Clarke County–Sandy Springs Combined Statistical Area, a trading area.[8] The city is dominated by a pervasive student culture and music scene centered on downtown Athens, next to the University of Georgia's North Campus.[9] Major music acts associated with Athens include numerous alternative rock bands such as R.E.M., the B-52's, Widespread Panic, and the Indigo Girls.

In the late 18th century, a trading settlement on the banks of the Oconee River called Cedar Shoals stood where Athens is today. On January 27, 1785, the Georgia General Assembly granted a charter by Abraham Baldwin for the University of Georgia as the first state-supported university. Sixteen years later, in 1801, a committee from the university's board of trustees selected a site for the university on a hill above Cedar Shoals, in what was then Jackson County. On July 25, John Milledge, one of the trustees and later governor of Georgia, bought 633 acres (256 ha) from Daniel Easley and donated it to the university. Milledge named the surrounding area Athens after the city that was home to the Platonic Academy of Plato and Aristotle in Greece.[10]

The first buildings on the University of Georgia campus were made from logs. The town grew as lots adjacent to the college were sold to raise money for the additional construction of the school. By the time the first class graduated from the university in 1804, Athens consisted of three homes, three stores, and a few other buildings facing Front Street, now known as Broad Street. Completed in 1806 and named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, Franklin College was the first permanent structure of the University of Georgia and of the city of Athens. This brick building is now known as Old College.

Choose the Best Vet Tech Program near Athens GA

Athens GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech program is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Athens GA.