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How to Choose a Vet Tech Program near Norcross Georgia

Norcross GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Norcross GA might at first seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the ideal selection? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their residences. When they have found some nearby schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Norcross GA

cat with cone after surgery in Norcross GA One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are many jobs that they can carry out within the Norcross GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most 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 vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complicated undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared with 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 fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Norcross GA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in Norcross

student attending online vet tech school in Norcross GA An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Norcross GA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for travel and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant fashion, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

Things to Ask Norcross GA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Norcross GA vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Norcross GA area and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of 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 ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many Norcross GA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Norcross GA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Norcross GA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate could suggest 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 find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Norcross GA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Norcross GA programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Norcross GA home, you need to make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, 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 fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online may 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 essential that you determine if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate 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 Norcross GA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Norcross GA?

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

Norcross, Georgia

Norcross is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States. The population as of the 2010 census was 9,116,[4] while in 2015 the estimated population was 16,634.[5] It is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta metropolitan statistical area.

The city sits along the Eastern Continental Divide. Streams to the west of the city center travel to the Chattahoochee River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico, while streams to the east flow to the Yellow River, a tributary of the Ocmulgee River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean north of Brunswick. This divide, or ridge, played a significant role in the early settlement of the area. Originally, the Creek and Cherokee people occupied this land, and the ridgeline was used as a major transportation route. Two American forts were established in the early 19th century due to the War of 1812: Fort Daniel (at Hog Mountain) and Peachtree Fort (in Atlanta). These two forts were connected by this old Indian trail which became known as the original Peachtree Road. By around 1840, this trail had evolved into a stagecoach route connecting South Carolina and Alabama through Georgia. The surrounding area became populated, and the small communities of Pinckneyville and Flint Hill prospered.

This all changed with the creation of the Richmond-Danville Railroad, designed to open up the wilderness areas of northeast Georgia. The railroad was proposed in 1856 by Jonathan Norcross (a former Atlanta mayor) and was subsequently approved. Construction was delayed, however, until 1866 because of the Civil War. On September 12, 1869, the first 20 miles (32 km) were completed. On October 16, 1889, John J. Thrasher bought the 250 acres (1.0 km2) surrounding the terminal for $1,650, and a town was born – named for Thrasher's good friend, Jonathan Norcross. The Brunswick Hotel was built in 1870, and Norcross quickly became known as a resort area, much like East Lake, for Atlantans wanting to escape the rapidly growing city. The new town also meant the demise of the surrounding communities of Pinckneyville and Flint Hill, as people migrated in to build houses, churches, schools, and to be near the railroad.

Pick the Best Vet Tech School near Norcross GA

Norcross GA vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students considering vet tech programs must make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Norcross GA.