Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Dacula GA - Find Vet Tech Schools Near You

How to Enroll In a Veterinary Technician School near Dacula Georgia

Dacula GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Dacula GA could initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will furnish the proper training so that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you can make the ideal choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are near their homes. When they have located some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary technician programs you are considering before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the various duties of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Dacula GA

cat with cone after surgery in Dacula GA One of 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 may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Dacula GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared to assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are included in more complex duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes four years. So the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians 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 Dacula GA labs or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Dacula

student attending online vet tech school in Dacula GA An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available through 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 many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Dacula GA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for instance for commuting and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more standard classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Dacula GA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Dacula GA vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want 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 Dacula GA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Dacula GA area vet clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Dacula GA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Dacula GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate might signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Dacula GA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Dacula GA programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Dacula GA home, you need to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Dacula GA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Dacula GA?

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

Dacula, Georgia

Dacula (dah-cuo-luh) is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States. The population as of the 2010 census was 4,442,[5] and the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population to be 5,330 as of 2015.[6]

The vicinity of Dacula was one of the first areas in present-day metropolitan Atlanta to be settled by whites (around the time of the War of 1812), but the area remained mostly undeveloped until the late 20th century. The Dacula area is home to some of the oldest buildings in greater Atlanta, such as the Elisha Winn House, which originally acted as the courthouse for Gwinnett County. Dacula itself began in the late 1800s near the community of Chinquapin Grove, where Dacula Elementary now stands. The town was originally named "Hoke",[7] after a Seaboard Air Line Railroad executive, but that name was changed due to the Post Office Department's protest.[citation needed]. Dacula's name was formed from letters in Decatur and Atlanta,[8] two cities to the west that were already prospering at the time of Dacula's founding. The city was once home to a train station on a CSX line through northeast Georgia, although the station closed in the mid-1950s.

Dacula is located in eastern Gwinnett County, with U.S. Route 29 Business/Georgia State Route 8 (Winder Highway) the main road through the center of town. Business 29/SR 8 leads west 6 miles (10 km) to Lawrenceville, the county seat, and east 11 miles (18 km) to Winder. U.S. Route 29 (University Parkway) is a four-lane highway that bypasses Dacula to the south, with access from Harbins Road. University Parkway leads east 34 miles (55 km) to Athens and west 12 miles (19 km) to Interstate 85, which leads an additional 25 miles (40 km) southwest to downtown Atlanta.

Pick the Right Vet Tech College near Dacula GA

Dacula GA vet tech holding dog Picking the right veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career providing care and treatment for animals. Future students considering vet tech programs need to make their selection based on a number of key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Dacula GA.