Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Bloomingdale GA

How to Enroll In a Vet Tech Program near Bloomingdale Georgia

Bloomingdale GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Bloomingdale GA could at first seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their homes. After they have found some area schools, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant considerations when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the various duties of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Bloomingdale GA

cat with cone after surgery in Bloomingdale GA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly 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 licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Bloomingdale GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and normally acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. So 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 work options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Bloomingdale

student attending online vet tech school in Bloomingdale GA An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Bloomingdale GA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for travel and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Bloomingdale GA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Bloomingdale GA vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Bloomingdale GA area and across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously 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 demanding screening process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for many Bloomingdale GA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet 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 regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Bloomingdale GA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Bloomingdale GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Bloomingdale GA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly 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, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Bloomingdale GA schools you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Bloomingdale GA home, you must make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Bloomingdale GA. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Bloomingdale GA?

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

Bloomingdale, Georgia

Bloomingdale is located along the northwestern border of Chatham County at 32°7′27″N 81°18′26″W / 32.12417°N 81.30722°W / 32.12417; -81.30722 (32.124122, -81.307211).[5] It is bordered to the northeast by Port Wentworth, to the east by Pooler, to the south by a western portion of Savannah, and to the northwest by Effingham County. U.S. Route 80 runs east–west through the center of Bloomingdale, and Interstate 16 runs parallel to it through the southern part of the city, with access from Exit 152. Both highways lead east 13 miles (21 km) to downtown Savannah.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Bloomingdale has a total area of 14.0 square miles (36.3 km2), of which 12.8 square miles (33.1 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.2 km2), or 8.90%, is water.[4]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,713 people, 1,001 households, and 752 families residing in the city. The population density was 193.6 people per square mile (74.7/km²). There were 1,141 housing units at an average density of 81.4 per square mile (31.43/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.0% White, 8.0% African American, 1.5% Asian, 1.0% Native American, 1.7% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.7% of the population.

Enroll in the Ideal Veterinary Technician College near Bloomingdale GA

Bloomingdale GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Bloomingdale GA.