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How to Pick a Veterinary Technician School near Temple Georgia

Temple GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Temple GA may initially feel like a challenging task. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach assessing 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 near their homes. When they have identified some local schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are important considerations when comparing veterinary technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Temple GA

cat with cone after surgery in Temple GA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire 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 devote to your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are many tasks that they can carry out within the Temple GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not involved with more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to assistants and usually acquire 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 general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex functions, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. So 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 work options, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated 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. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Temple GA laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Temple

student attending online vet tech school in Temple GA An approach that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Temple GA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for travel and study materials, may be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make sure that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Temple GA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Temple GA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Temple GA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.

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 organization. As previously stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Temple GA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips 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 complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Temple GA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Temple GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult 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 might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Temple GA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Temple GA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students relating to 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 College Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Temple GA home, you need to make sure 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Temple GA. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Temple GA?

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

Temple, Georgia

Temple is located in northeastern Carroll County at 33°44′9″N 85°1′38″W / 33.73583°N 85.02722°W / 33.73583; -85.02722 (33.735723, -85.027298).[5] A very small portion of the city extends west into Haralson County. U.S. Route 78 passes just south of the center of town, leading east 6 miles (10 km) to Villa Rica and west 7 miles (11 km) to Bremen. Interstate 20 passes through the southernmost part of the town, with access from Exit 19, and leads east 38 miles (61 km) to Atlanta and west 48 miles (77 km) to Oxford, Alabama. Carrollton, the county seat, is 12 miles (19 km) south via Highway 113.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Temple has a total area of 6.9 square miles (17.9 km2), of which 6.8 square miles (17.6 km2) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.2 km2), or 1.38%, is water.[4]

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 2,383 people, 864 households, and 664 families residing in the city. The population density was 352.3 people per square mile (136.1/km²). There were 956 housing units at an average density of 141.3 per square mile (54.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.47% White, 13.72% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.80% of the population.

Pick the Best Vet Tech College near Temple GA

Temple GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech school is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about veterinary technician programs must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important 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 colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options 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 Temple GA.