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How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Franklin Georgia

Franklin GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Franklin GA could initially seem like a daunting task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the ideal choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for schools that are near their homes. Once they have located some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final selection. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the different responsibilities of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Franklin GA

cat with cone after surgery in Franklin GA One of the initial 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 predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the Franklin GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade 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. Normally they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared to assistants and normally obtain a 2 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 vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part perform the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years to complete. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Franklin

student attending online vet tech school in Franklin GA An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Franklin GA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for travel and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the program 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 included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the right option for you.

Things to Ask Franklin GA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask Franklin GA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Franklin GA area and across the USA, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that confirms you will obtain 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 obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Franklin GA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Franklin GA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Franklin GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate might mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Franklin GA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Franklin GA programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations 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 Campus Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Franklin GA home, you need to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located close by or within a larger 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 increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Franklin GA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Franklin GA?

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

Franklin, Georgia

Franklin is a city in Heard County, Georgia, United States. The population was 993 at the 2010 census,[4] up from 902 at the 2000 census. Franklin is the county seat of Heard County.[5] The city is named after Benjamin Franklin.[6]

Franklin is located in central Heard County at 33°16′47″N 85°05′54″W / 33.279788°N 85.098403°W / 33.279788; -85.098403,[8] along the Chattahoochee River. U.S. Route 27 passes through the east side of the city on a bypass, leading north 23 miles (37 km) to Carrollton and south 19 miles (31 km) to LaGrange. Georgia State Route 34 passes through the center of Franklin, leading northeast 20 miles (32 km) to Newnan and southwest 12 miles (19 km) to the Alabama border. Georgia State Route 100 joins SR 34 for part of its path through Franklin, but leads northwest 14 miles (23 km) to Ephesus and southeast 14 miles to Hogansville.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Franklin has a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.0 km2), of which 3.4 square miles (8.7 km2) are land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km2), or 4.00%, are water.[4]

Choose the Ideal Vet Tech School near Franklin GA

Franklin GA vet tech holding dog Selecting the right vet tech school is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students considering vet tech schools must make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Franklin GA.