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How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near Stillmore Georgia

Stillmore GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Stillmore GA may at first seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by looking for schools that are close to their residences. When they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when comparing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech schools you are evaluating before you make an ultimate selection. We have furnished several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the different roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Vet Tech in Stillmore GA

cat with cone after surgery in Stillmore GA Among 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 preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Stillmore GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, 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 veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more complex activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar 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 4 years to complete. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Stillmore GA laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Stillmore

student attending online vet tech school in Stillmore GA An alternative that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The curriculum is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Stillmore GA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, such as for travel and study supplies, may be lower compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech school may be the perfect choice for you.

Questions to Ask Stillmore GA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Stillmore GA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Stillmore GA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Stillmore GA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on 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 regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Stillmore GA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? 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 programs you are looking at have internship programs established with Stillmore GA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate might signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check 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 excellent reputation within the Stillmore GA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Stillmore GA schools you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Stillmore GA home, you have to make sure that the commuting 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, especially if the campus is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges 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 in the evenings near Stillmore 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 before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Stillmore GA?

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

Stillmore, Georgia

Stillmore is located in southeastern Emanuel County at 32°26′28″N 82°12′53″W / 32.44111°N 82.21472°W / 32.44111; -82.21472 (32.441176, -82.214637).[5]Georgia State Route 57 passes through the town, leading northwest 14 miles (23 km) to Swainsboro, the county seat, and southeast 5 miles (8 km) to Interstate 16 at Exit 98. Georgia State Route 192 crosses GA 57 in the center of Stillmore, leading northeast 11 miles (18 km) to Twin City and west 5 miles (8 km) to U.S. Route 1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Stillmore has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2), of which 3.1 square miles (8.0 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km2), or 3.39%, is water.[4]

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 730 people, 220 households, and 159 families residing in the town. The population density was 229.8 people per square mile (88.6/km²). There were 253 housing units at an average density of 79.6 per square mile (30.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 35.07% White, 47.95% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 15.07% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.81% of the population.

Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Stillmore GA

Stillmore GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech school is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students thinking about vet tech colleges need to make their determination based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the best college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Stillmore GA.