Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Barnesville GA

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Barnesville Georgia

Barnesville GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Barnesville GA may at first seem like a challenging task. After all, you must search for and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the best choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have located some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant factors when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate selection. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Barnesville GA

cat with cone after surgery in Barnesville GA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous tasks that they can carry out within the Barnesville GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to assistants and generally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires four years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Barnesville

student attending online vet tech school in Barnesville GA An alternative that might make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available 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 Barnesville GA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, such as for traveling and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech program may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Barnesville GA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Barnesville GA vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Barnesville GA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded 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 a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Barnesville GA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online 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 infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Barnesville GA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Barnesville GA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may 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 considering. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Barnesville GA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Barnesville GA schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Barnesville GA home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Barnesville GA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family issues. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Barnesville GA?

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

Barnesville, Georgia

Barnesville is a city in Lamar County, Georgia, United States. The city is a part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 6,755.[4] The city is the county seat of Lamar County.[5]

Barnesville was once dubbed the "Buggy Capital of the South" as the town produced about 9,000 buggies a year around the turn of the 20th century.[6] Each year in the third week of September the town hosts an annual Buggy Days celebration.

Barnesville served as a major hospital site for wounded southern troops during the Civil War. Local families took wounded soldiers into their homes and treated them, with highly successful recovery rates. Major General William B. Bate, CSA of Hardees Corps., wounded in Atlanta at Utoy Creek on August 10, 1864, was treated here. After the war, General Bate was elected Governor of Tennessee and served in the United States Senate until his death in 1912. He commented on his successful recovery as a result of the kindness of the local populace in Barnesville.

Pick the Best Vet Tech School near Barnesville GA

Barnesville GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering vet tech schools need to make their selection based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, 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 goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Barnesville GA.