Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Forest Park GA

How to Find the Right Vet Tech School near Forest Park Georgia

Forest Park GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Forest Park GA could initially seem like a daunting task. After all, you must find and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. After they have identified some local schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important considerations when assessing vet tech programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the various duties of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Forest Park GA

cat with cone after surgery in Forest Park GA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Forest Park GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose ailments, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more involved functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. 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 job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Forest Park GA labs or research facilities as well.

Vet Tech Online Programs Offered in Forest Park

student attending online vet tech school in Forest Park GA An option that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Forest Park GA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized 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 self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Forest Park GA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Forest Park GA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you would like to attain, 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 trade schools in the Forest Park GA area and across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier 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 undergone a rigorous screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Forest Park GA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with 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 concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Forest 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 suggest some programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Forest Park GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Forest Park GA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Forest Park GA schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students concerning 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 Campus Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Forest Park GA home, you must make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Forest Park GA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require 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 emergencies. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Forest Park GA?

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

Forest Park, Georgia

Forest Park is a city in Clayton County, Georgia, United States. It is located approximately nine miles (14 km) south of Atlanta[5] and is part of the Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Marietta Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 18,468.[1]

Originally the third stop from Atlanta on the Macon and Western Railroad, the city was incorporated in 1908. The 1,465-acre (5.93 km2) Fort Gillem was founded nearby in 1941 and was annexed into the city in 1973.

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 18,468 people, 6,877 households, and 4,839 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,990.9 people per square mile (882.8/km²). There were 7,233 housing units at an average density of 771.5 per square mile (297.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 19.2% White, 37.7% African American, 0.50% Native American, 7.9% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.3% of the population.

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Forest Park GA

Forest Park GA vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal veterinary technician college is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students looking into vet tech schools must make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients 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 field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the best college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Forest Park GA.