Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Chickamauga GA

How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Chickamauga Georgia

Chickamauga GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Chickamauga GA could at first seem like a challenging task. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the best selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their homes. Once they have identified some area schools, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Veterinary Technician in Chickamauga GA

cat with cone after surgery in Chickamauga GA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal factor will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Chickamauga GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the standard vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice 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 veterinarians and vet techs in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and for the most part carry out the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years to complete. Therefore 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 job options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Chickamauga

student attending online vet tech school in Chickamauga GA An approach that might be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Chickamauga GA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, such as for travel and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Chickamauga GA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Chickamauga GA vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Chickamauga GA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet School Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, 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 a thorough review process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a requirement for employment for many Chickamauga GA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Chickamauga GA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Chickamauga GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate may signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Chickamauga GA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low 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 sized, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Chickamauga GA colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Chickamauga GA home, you need to confirm 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinary programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Chickamauga GA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Chickamauga GA?

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

Chickamauga, Georgia

Before the 1800s, the Chickamauga-Cherokee settled around Chickamauga Creek, where they farmed and hunted the lands. They stayed there until their forced exodus during the Trail of Tears (1838). In the early to mid-19th century, the present town of Chickamauga was a large plantation in the rolling hills of north Georgia. When the Cherokee Nation was divided into districts and courts in 1820, Crawfish Springs was made the capital of the new Chickamauga District. After the Cherokee removal, the first court in Walker County was held there in the former Cherokee courthouse. The local post office was Crawfish Springs.[4]

During the War of 1812, 500 Cherokee warriors from the area fought alongside General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, against the Creek Indians, who were aligned with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The battle ended in a victory for the Americans.

The Lee and Gordon families greatly influenced Chickamauga's post-Cherokee history. In 1836 Gwinnett County native James Gordon established a plantation at Crawfish Springs and built a grist mill two miles east of town, on Chickamauga Creek. Lee and Gordon's Mill, which contained the area's first general store, was situated near a blacksmith shop and stagecoach stop. From 1840 to 1847, Gordon built his Doric-columned brick house (known today as the Gordon-Lee Mansion), which overlooks Crawfish Springs.[5]

Pick the Ideal Vet Tech School near Chickamauga GA

Chickamauga GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician program is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for animals. Potential students looking into vet tech schools must 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 duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Chickamauga GA.