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How to Select a Veterinary Technician Program near Ellerslie Georgia

Ellerslie GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Ellerslie GA may at first seem like a daunting task. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will provide the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their residences. After they have found some local schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Ellerslie GA

cat with cone after surgery in Ellerslie GA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Ellerslie GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. Therefore 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, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Ellerslie GA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Ellerslie

student attending online vet tech school in Ellerslie GA An option that might 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 training program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Ellerslie GA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, such as for traveling and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Ellerslie GA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Ellerslie GA vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Ellerslie GA area and across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for many Ellerslie GA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Ellerslie GA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Ellerslie GA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program 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 mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Ellerslie GA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify 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 get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Ellerslie GA colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Ellerslie GA home, you have to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or close by a large 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 costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the vet colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Ellerslie GA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or 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 due to sickness, work or family issues. You might find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Ellerslie GA?

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

Ellerslie, Georgia

Ellerslie is located along Alternate U.S. Route 27 and Georgia State Route 85, which run northeast to southwest through the city, leading southwest 18 miles (29 km) to Columbus and northeast 5 miles (8 km) to Waverly Hall. The two highways meet Georgia State Route 315 in the city to form a very short concurrency in the city limits. Atlanta is 93 miles (150 km) by road to the northeast. Ellerslie is approximately 722 feet (220 m) above sea level. It is located north of the fall line that separates Georgia into the Piedmont region and the Coastal Plains.

Enroll in the Best Vet Tech Program near Ellerslie GA

Ellerslie GA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician program is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech schools need to make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Ellerslie GA.