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How to Enroll In a Vet Tech Program near Austell Georgia

Austell GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Austell GA might initially feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. When they have located some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important factors when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate selection. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the different roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Austell GA

cat with cone after surgery in Austell GA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Austell GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with assistants and usually obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist 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 additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Austell

student attending online vet tech school in Austell GA An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Austell GA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for commuting and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Austell GA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Austell GA vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Austell GA area as well as across the Country, you need to 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 concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Austell GA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Austell GA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Austell GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate might indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Austell GA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Austell GA schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few 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 instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Austell GA home, you have to make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the vet schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Austell GA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Austell GA?

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

Austell, Georgia

The area that is now Austell was frequented by game hunters and trappers on their way to the area's salt licks. These early visitors claimed the area's waters had medicinal properties. It soon became a destination for therapeutic healing, leading to the founding of a town known as Salt Springs. As immigration increased and demand for land near the spring grew, G. O. Mozely donated and subdivided 40 acres (16 ha) of his land, enhancing the loose settlement with a street plan. Later, the spring was renamed Lithia Springs due to the water containing lithium carbonate, and the neighboring city of Lithia Springs was founded in 1882. In 1888, the lithia spring water was bottled and sold under the commercial name Bowden Lithia Spring Water.[5] The historic lithia spring water is still bottled and sold under the name brand Lithia Spring Water. Georgia Pacific, now a division of Southern Railway, chose the town of Austell to be a station depot, being the dividing point for the major Birmingham and Chattanooga railway lines.[6]

Austell was incorporated in 1885.[7] The town is named for General Alfred Austell (1814–1881), founder of the Atlanta National Bank (later Wachovia), in recognition of his efforts to bring major railways to the South.[8] Austell is buried in an elaborate Gothic Revival-style mausoleum at the highest point in Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery.

Austell is located along the southern border of Cobb County at 33°48′57″N 84°38′10″W / 33.81583°N 84.63611°W / 33.81583; -84.63611 (33.815905, −84.636242).[10] A small portion of the city extends south into Douglas County. It is bordered by Lithia Springs to the south and Mableton to the east. The city of Powder Springs is 4 miles (6 km) to the northwest. U.S. Route 78 passes through the city, leading east 15 miles (24 km) to downtown Atlanta and west 8 miles (13 km) to Douglasville.

Enroll in the Ideal Vet Tech Program near Austell GA

Austell GA vet tech holding dog Selecting the right veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Students thinking about veterinary technician schools must make their determination based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Austell GA.