Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools College Park GA

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Program near College Park Georgia

College Park GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near College Park GA might at first feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle evaluating and comparing schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their homes. After they have identified some area schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant factors when assessing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in College Park GA

cat with cone after surgery in College Park GA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can carry out within the College Park GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing 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 performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in College Park GA laboratories or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in College Park

student attending online vet tech school in College Park GA An approach that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local College Park GA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for traveling and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make certain 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 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 College Park GA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask College Park GA vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the College Park GA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for many College Park GA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some College Park GA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with College Park GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, 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 curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the College Park GA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the College Park GA programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your College Park GA home, you need to make sure 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the vet schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near College Park GA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near College Park GA?

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

College Park, Georgia

College Park is a city in Fulton County and Clayton County, Georgia, United States, adjacent to the southern boundary of the city of Atlanta. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,942.[4]Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is partially located in the city's boundaries (including the domestic terminal, Concourse T, Concourse A, and about two-thirds of Concourse B), and the Georgia International Convention Center, owned and operated by the City of College Park, is within the city limits.[5][6] The city is home to the fourth largest urban historical district registered with the National Register of Historic Places in the state of Georgia. [7][8]

College Park is located on the border of Fulton and Clayton counties at 33°38′54″N 84°27′22″W / 33.64833°N 84.45611°W / 33.64833; -84.45611 (33.648209, -84.456007).[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.1 square miles (26.1 km2), of which 0.019 square miles (0.05 km2), or 0.19%, is water.[4]

College Park's City Hall is 8 miles (13 km) southwest of downtown Atlanta. Interstate 85 passes through the city and merges with Interstate 285, the perimeter highway around Atlanta, for a short distance in the southern part of College Park. I-85 exits 69 through 72 and I-285 exits 60 and 62 are located within the College Park city limits. The western part of Hartsfield–Jackson Airport, including its domestic terminal, occupies the eastern side of the city.

Pick the Right Vet Tech School near College Park GA

College Park GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech program is an important first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering veterinary technician schools need to make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in College Park GA.