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How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near Duluth Georgia

Duluth GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Duluth GA might at first seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must search for 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 go about analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have identified some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are considering before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the different roles of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Duluth GA

cat with cone after surgery in Duluth GA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Duluth GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and generally obtain 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 fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Duluth

student attending online vet tech school in Duluth GA An option that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Duluth GA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for example for commuting and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech program may be the perfect choice for you.

What to Ask Duluth GA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Duluth GA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Duluth GA area as well as across the United States, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, 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 screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Duluth GA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies 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, phone some Duluth GA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to obtain 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 Duluth GA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate might indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Duluth GA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Duluth GA colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Duluth GA home, you must 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, especially if the college is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Duluth GA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Duluth GA?

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

Duluth, Georgia

Duluth is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States. It is a suburb of Atlanta. As of the 2010 census, Duluth had a population of 26,600,[5] and the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population to be 29,331 as of 2016.[2]

Duluth is located north of Interstate 85. It is home to Gwinnett Place Mall, the Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center, Infinite Energy Arena, Hudgens Center for the Arts, and the Red Clay Theater. It is also home to Gwinnett Medical Center–Duluth, an 81-bed hospital constructed in 2006, as well as GMC's Glancy Campus, a 30-bed facility located near downtown. The agricultural manufacturer AGCO is based in Duluth.

Duluth was originally Cherokee territory.[8] When Duluth was established in the early 19th century, it was primarily forest land occupied by tribespeople. An Indian trail, called Old Peachtree Road by the settlers, was extended through the area during the War of 1812 to connect Fort Peachtree in present-day Atlanta with Fort Daniel near present-day Dacula. When Gwinnett County was established in 1818, white settlement of the area accelerated.[citation needed]

Pick the Best Vet Tech Program near Duluth GA

Duluth GA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right veterinary technician college is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about veterinary technician colleges need to make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Duluth GA.