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How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near Atlanta Georgia

Atlanta GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Atlanta GA may at first seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing programs so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. When they have located some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the different roles of vet techs and the training options available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Atlanta GA

cat with cone after surgery in Atlanta GA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many duties that they can carry out within the Atlanta GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal 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 vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and usually earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years to complete. So the main 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 registration, certification or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Atlanta GA labs or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Atlanta

student attending online vet tech school in Atlanta GA An option that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided over the internet, students can study on their own timetable 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 segment can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Atlanta GA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for travel and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Atlanta GA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Atlanta GA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Atlanta GA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, 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 an extensive screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Atlanta GA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Atlanta GA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Atlanta GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy 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 high placement rate could mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Atlanta GA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Atlanta GA schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers 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 methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Atlanta GA home, you need to make certain 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college 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 taking online classes could be an alternative 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 veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Atlanta GA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family issues. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Atlanta GA?

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

Atlanta

Atlanta (/ætˈlæntə/) is the capital of, and the most populous city in, the U.S. state of Georgia. With an estimated 2017 population of 486,290,[13] it is also the 39th most-populous city in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, home to 5.8 million people and the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the nation.[7] Atlanta is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia. A small portion of the city extends eastward into neighboring DeKalb County.

Atlanta was founded as a transportation hub at the intersection of two railroad lines in 1837. After being mostly burned to the ground during the American Civil War, the city rose from its ashes to become a national center of commerce and the unofficial capital of the "New South". During the 1950s and 1960s, Atlanta became a major organizing center of the civil rights movement, with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph David Abernathy, and many other locals playing major roles in the movement's leadership. In the decades following, the city earned a reputation as "too busy to hate" for the relatively progressive views of its citizens and leaders compared to other cities in the "Deep South".[14] During the modern era, Atlanta has attained international prominence as a major air transportation hub, with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport being the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998.[15][16][17][18]

Atlanta is rated as a "beta(+)" world city that exerts a moderate impact on global commerce, finance, research, technology, education, media, art, and entertainment.[19] It ranks in the top twenty among world cities and 10th in the nation with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $385 billion.[20][21] Atlanta's economy is considered diverse, with dominant sectors that include transportation, logistics, professional and business services, media operations, medical services, and information technology.[22] Atlanta has topographic features that include rolling hills and dense tree coverage, earning it the nickname of "the city in a forest."[23]Revitalization of Atlanta's neighborhoods, initially spurred by the 1996 Summer Olympics, has intensified in the 21st century, altering the city's demographics, politics, and culture.[24][25]

Pick the Right Vet Tech Program near Atlanta GA

Atlanta GA vet tech holding dog Picking the right vet tech college is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students thinking about vet tech colleges need to make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Atlanta GA.