Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Summerville GA

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Summerville Georgia

Summerville GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Summerville GA might initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must locate and enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the right choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their homes. When they have found some area schools, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered as well. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician schools you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the various duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Summerville GA

cat with cone after surgery in Summerville GA Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of functions that they can perform within the Summerville GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all instances will have gone through a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and generally acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary technicians and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. Therefore the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Summerville

student attending online vet tech school in Summerville GA An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Summerville GA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician program may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Summerville GA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Summerville GA vet tech schools At this point you should have selected which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Summerville GA area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Summerville GA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online 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 relating to your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Summerville GA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Summerville 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 may also help build relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Summerville GA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Summerville GA programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Summerville GA home, you must confirm 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or close by a larger 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 higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you find out if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Summerville GA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Summerville GA?

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

Summerville, Georgia

Summerville was founded in 1838 as seat of the newly formed Chattooga County. It was incorporated as a town in 1839 and as a city in 1909.[5] Summerville was named from the fact it was a popular summer resort.[6] The city thrived in the late 1880s with the construction of the Chattanooga, Rome and Columbus Railroad (later part of the Central of Georgia system).[7]

The Chattooga County Courthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was completed in 1909.[7] The Summerville Depot, completed by the Central of Georgia in 1918, is also listed on the National Register, and is home to several annual festivals.[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.0 square miles (10.3 km²), all of it land. The city lies along the Chattooga River at the western base of an elongate mountain known as Taylor Ridge. U.S. Route 27 connects Summerville with Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the north, and Rome to the southeast. Georgia State Route 114 connects the city with Lyerly to the south, and Georgia State Route 48 connects the city with Menlo near the Alabama state line to the west.

Pick the Best Veterinary Technician Program near Summerville GA

Summerville GA vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for animals. Students thinking about veterinary technician programs must make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the ideal program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Summerville GA.