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How to Select a Vet Tech School near Jonesboro Georgia

Jonesboro GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Jonesboro GA may initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you have to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach evaluating and contrasting schools so that you can make the right selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are near their homes. When they have identified some area colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech schools you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the various duties of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Jonesboro GA

cat with cone after surgery in Jonesboro GA Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Jonesboro GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational 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 complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more extensive training in contrast to assistants and generally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 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 career opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may 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 Jonesboro GA laboratories or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Jonesboro

student attending online vet tech school in Jonesboro GA An alternative that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus 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 portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Jonesboro GA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for traveling and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online vet tech school may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Jonesboro GA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Jonesboro GA vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Jonesboro GA area as well as 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 concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier 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 verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Jonesboro GA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Jonesboro GA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Jonesboro GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate may indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Jonesboro GA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Jonesboro GA schools you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Jonesboro GA home, you need to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are considering 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 Jonesboro GA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Jonesboro GA?

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

Jonesboro, Georgia

The city's name was originally spelled Jonesborough. During the Civil War, the final skirmish in the Atlanta Campaign was fought here south of Atlanta, cutting off the city and forcing the mayor of Atlanta to surrender at Marietta in early September 1864. The final fall of Atlanta in the Battle of Jonesborough ended up being a decisive point in the nation's history, propelling Abraham Lincoln to re-election two months later, and continuing the war until the Confederacy finally surrendered the following year.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 3,829 people, 1,466 households, and 1,023 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,477.4 people per square mile (570.8/km²). There were 1,561 housing units at an average density of 602.3 per square mile (232.7/km²). The racial composition of the city was 72.79% African American, 20.63% White, 0.21% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.31% Pacific Islander, 3.45% from other races, and 1.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.55% of the population. In the past 2 years that population has doubled to about 15.86%.

There were 1,466 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 25.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.09.

Enroll in the Right Veterinary Technician Program near Jonesboro GA

Jonesboro GA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician school is a critical first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students considering vet tech schools must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. 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 alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Jonesboro GA.