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How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Cordele Georgia

Cordele GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Cordele GA could at first seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a program that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting programs so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. When they have identified some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when evaluating veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are looking at before you make a final selection. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Cordele GA

cat with cone after surgery in Cordele GA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many duties that they can perform within the Cordele GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and generally earn 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 vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years. Therefore 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 career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Cordele

student attending online vet tech school in Cordele GA An option 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 provided by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Cordele GA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting and study supplies, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure 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 included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Cordele GA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Cordele GA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Cordele GA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, 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 rigorous screening 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 a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Cordele GA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Cordele GA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Cordele GA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Cordele GA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Cordele GA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations 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 College Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Cordele GA home, you have to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or near a larger 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 higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Cordele GA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Cordele GA?

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

Cordele, Georgia

In November 1864, the area that is now Cordele served as the temporary capital of Georgia. During the last days of the Confederacy, Georgia's war governor Joseph E. Brown used his rural farmhouse to escape the wrath of Sherman's March to the Sea. During that time the farmhouse, which Brown called "Dooly County Place," served as the official capital for only a few days. It was replaced in 1890 by the Suwanee Hotel, located in what became downtown Cordele. The hotel was destroyed by a fire in late 1994 and was rebuilt.

Cordele was founded in 1888 by J.E.D. Shipp of Americus. The town was located at the junction of two major railroads – the Savannah, Americus & Montgomery line, and the Georgia Southern & Florida. As the railroads brought more people and business to the newly settled territory, Cordele experienced phenomenal growth. Before 1905 Cordele was located in southern Dooly County, 9 miles (14 km) from the county seat in Vienna. With Cordele's continued progress, many in the community felt the need for a seat of government to be closer than Vienna. Crisp County was formed in 1905 by taking a portion of southern Dooly County, and Cordele became its county seat.

By August 1930, Cordele housed the Crisp County Hydroelectric System, the first county-owned electric system. Located on the Flint River, the hydroelectric plant continues to operate, and the resulting Lake Blackshear has attracted residents to its waterfront properties.

Choose the Ideal Vet Tech School near Cordele GA

Cordele GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students considering vet tech colleges must make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Cordele GA.