How to Pick a Vet Tech Program near Lumpkin Georgia
Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Lumpkin GA might at first feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a college that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing programs so that you can make the ideal choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their homes. After they have identified some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the varied roles of vet techs and the training alternatives available.
The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Lumpkin GA
One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Lumpkin GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialty.
- Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
- Vet Technicians receive more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex duties, such as assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist 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 registration, certification or licensing.
Veterinary techs and technologists can 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 Lumpkin GA labs or research facilities as well.
Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Lumpkin
An option that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Lumpkin GA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for commuting and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Lumpkin GA Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Lumpkin GA area and across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier 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 a thorough review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for many Lumpkin GA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. 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 suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Lumpkin GA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Lumpkin GA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate may mean 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, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Lumpkin GA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lumpkin GA programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Lumpkin GA home, you must make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you determine if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Lumpkin GA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later 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 as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.
Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lumpkin GA?
If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Lumpkin Georgia area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.
Lumpkin, Georgia
This area of Georgia was inhabited by succeeding cultures of indigenous Native Americans for thousands of years before European contact. Historical tribes included the Cherokee, Choctaw and Creek, who encountered European Americans as their settlements moved into traditional territory. During the Indian removal of 1830, the United States government forced such tribes to move west of the Mississippi River to Indian Territory, to extinguish their claims and make way for more European-American settlement.
Lumpkin was incorporated by European Americans on March 30, 1829. First named the county seat of Randolph County on December 2, 1830, it became the seat of Stewart County when the latter was split from Randolph three weeks later. The city was named in honor of Wilson Lumpkin, a two-term governor of Georgia and legislator who supported Indian removal. His namesake county is at the northern end of the state.[5]
The town grew as a commercial center served by stagecoach. Its merchants traded with the planters in the area. This was part of the Black Belt, named for the fertile land in the upland South that supported extensive cotton plantations in the 19th century. In the antebellum years, planters depended on the labor and skills of hundreds of thousands of enslaved African Americans to cultivate and process the cotton for market.[5]
Pick the Ideal Veterinary Technician College near Lumpkin GA
Selecting the right veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering vet tech programs must make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online colleges 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 selecting the ideal college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lumpkin GA.
Other Doggone Good Cities in Georgia
Business Results 1 - 10 of 1
4 Reviews 