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How to Select a Veterinary Technician Program near Marietta Georgia

Marietta GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Marietta GA may at first feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about assessing and contrasting programs so that you can make the best selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their homes. When they have located some local colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when evaluating vet tech programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are considering before you make an ultimate decision. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Marietta GA

cat with cone after surgery in Marietta GA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can perform within the Marietta GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared with assistants and normally acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, such as assisting with surgeries or providing medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. Therefore the only real difference 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, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Marietta

student attending online vet tech school in Marietta GA An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Marietta GA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for commuting and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Marietta GA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Marietta GA vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinary credential that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Marietta GA area and across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Marietta GA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet 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 violations involving your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Marietta GA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive 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 best means to obtain practical hands on experience 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 Marietta GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum 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 signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Marietta GA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Marietta GA colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Marietta GA home, you need to confirm 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Marietta GA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Marietta GA?

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

Marietta, Georgia

As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,579. The 2017 estimate is 61,048, making it one of Atlanta's largest suburbs. Marietta is the fourth largest of the principal cities (by population) of the Atlanta metropolitan statistical area.[5][6]

The origin of the name is uncertain. It is believed that the city was named for Mary Cobb, the wife of U.S. Senator and Superior Court judge Thomas Willis Cobb. Judge Cobb is the namesake of the county.[7]

Homes were built by early settlers near the Cherokee town of Big Shanty (now Kennesaw) prior to 1824.[8] The first plat was laid out in 1833. Like most towns, Marietta had a square (see Marietta Square) in the center with a courthouse. The Georgia General Assembly legally recognized the community on December 19, 1834.[8]

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Marietta GA

Marietta GA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career delivering care and treatment 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 veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Marietta GA.