Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Lithia Springs GA

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near Lithia Springs Georgia

Lithia Springs GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Lithia Springs GA could at first feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will furnish the necessary training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their homes. After they have located some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important considerations when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your assessments. Factors 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 tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the various responsibilities of vet techs and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Lithia Springs GA

cat with cone after surgery in Lithia Springs GA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many tasks that they can carry out within the Lithia Springs GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing 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. Normally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to assistants and generally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably 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 vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved functions, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Lithia Springs GA labs or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Lithia Springs

student attending online vet tech school in Lithia Springs GA An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Lithia Springs GA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for travel and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the program 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 included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Lithia Springs GA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Lithia Springs GA vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Lithia Springs GA area and across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose 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 schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for many Lithia Springs GA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Lithia Springs GA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Lithia Springs GA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Lithia Springs GA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lithia Springs GA schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Lithia Springs GA home, you have 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located near or in 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 increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you find out if the vet schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lithia Springs GA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lithia Springs GA?

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

Lithia Springs, Georgia

Lithia Springs is a census-designated place and unincorporated area, formerly incorporated as a city, located in northeastern Douglas County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the community had a population of 15,491.[3] The area is named for its historic "lithia" mineral water springs.

Incorporated in 1882, Lithia Springs was dissolved the first time in 1933. Lithia Springs became incorporated again in 1994, to be Douglas County's second completely internal municipality, but disincorporated again in 2001.

In 2001, the citizens voted (80% yea, 20% nay) on March 20 to dissolve the city charter and de-incorporate the city, transferring all assets to the county. The referendum that ended the town was part of the settlement in a lawsuit brought by city residents charging the city should be dissolved because it did not deliver enough services to justify its existence under state law. During its incorporation until 2001, the former city had five mayors.

Select the Best Veterinary Technician College near Lithia Springs GA

Lithia Springs GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students looking into vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by selecting the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lithia Springs GA.