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How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near Augusta Georgia

Augusta GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Augusta GA could initially seem like a daunting task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and contrasting programs so that you can make the correct choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have located some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when evaluating vet technician schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the various roles of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Augusta GA

cat with cone after surgery in Augusta GA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the main factor will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many jobs that they can perform within the Augusta GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from 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 performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and normally earn 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 veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. So 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 options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Augusta GA labs or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Augusta

student attending online vet tech school in Augusta GA An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are provided through 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 many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Augusta GA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Augusta GA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Augusta GA vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Augusta GA area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

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 earlier discussed, among 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 obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Augusta GA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin 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 ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Augusta GA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Augusta GA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Augusta GA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well 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 sized, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Augusta GA programs you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Augusta GA home, you must confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Augusta GA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Augusta GA?

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

Augusta, Georgia

Augusta (US: /əˈɡʌstə/), officially Augusta–Richmond County, is a consolidated city-county on the central eastern border of the U.S. state of Georgia. The city lies across the Savannah River from South Carolina at the head of its navigable portion. Georgia's second-largest city after Atlanta, Augusta is located in the Piedmont section of the state.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Augusta–Richmond County had a 2017 estimated population of 197,166, not counting the unconsolidated cities of Blythe and Hephzibah.[3] It is the 122nd largest city in the United States. The process of consolidation between the City of Augusta and Richmond County began with a 1995 referendum in the two jurisdictions. The merger was completed on July 1, 1996. Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta metropolitan area, situated in both Georgia and South Carolina on both sides of the Savannah River. In 2017 it had an estimated population of 600,151, making it the second-largest metro area in the state. It is the 93rd largest metropolitan area in the United States.

Augusta was established in 1736 and is named for Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha (1719–1772), the bride of Frederick, Prince of Wales and the mother of the British monarch George III.[1] During the American Civil War, Augusta housed the principal Confederate powder works.[8] Augusta's warm climate made it a major resort town of the Eastern United States in the early and mid-20th century. Internationally, Augusta is best known for hosting The Masters golf tournament each spring. The Masters brings over 200,000 visitors from across the world to the Augusta National Golf Club. Membership at Augusta National is widely considered to be the most exclusive in the sport of golf across the world.

Choose the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Augusta GA

Augusta GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech school is an important first step to starting a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician programs need to make their determination based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Augusta GA.