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How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Smyrna Georgia

Smyrna GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Smyrna GA could at first seem like a challenging task. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will furnish the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the correct choice? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. After they have identified some local schools, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when evaluating vet tech programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the various roles of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Smyrna GA

cat with cone after surgery in Smyrna GA Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal factor will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many functions that they can carry out within the Smyrna GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialization.

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 graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years to complete. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Smyrna GA laboratories or research facilities also.

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Smyrna

student attending online vet tech school in Smyrna GA An option that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Smyrna GA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Smyrna GA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Smyrna GA vet tech schools At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Smyrna GA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a precondition for employment for a number of Smyrna GA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Smyrna GA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Smyrna GA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult 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 low rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Smyrna GA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Smyrna GA programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students concerning 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 Campus Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Smyrna GA home, you need to make certain that the driving time fits into 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 college is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend 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. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Smyrna GA. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Smyrna GA?

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

Smyrna, Georgia

Smyrna is a city in Cobb County, Georgia, United States. It is located northwest of Atlanta, and is in the inner ring of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 51,271.[5] The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population in 2013 to be 53,438.[6] It is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs–Roswell MSA, which is included in the Atlanta–Athens–Clarke–Sandy Springs CSA. Smyrna grew by 28% between the years 2000 and 2012. It is historically one of the fastest growing cities in the State of Georgia, and one of the most densely populated cities in the metro area.[7]

Pioneers began settling the area in 1832. By the late 1830s, a religious encampment called Smyrna Camp Ground had become a popular travel destination and was well known throughout Georgia. It was named by Greeks for the Biblical city of Smyrna, modern day Izmir in Turkey, the home of the famous Christian martyr Polycarp. After the completion of the Western and Atlantic Railroad in 1842, the area began to grow. It was known by several names until 1872—Varner's Station, Ruff's Siding, Neal Dow, and Ruff's Station. The city was incorporated with the name Smyrna in 1872.[citation needed]

Two Civil War battles occurred in the area, the Battle of Smyrna Camp Ground and the Battle of Ruff's Mill, both on July 4, 1864.[8] The area's businesses, homes and 1849 covered bridge (since rebuilt and still in use today) were burned by Sherman's troops.

Select the Ideal Vet Tech School near Smyrna GA

Smyrna GA vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career providing care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into veterinary technician programs need to make their decision based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Smyrna GA.