Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Fort Oglethorpe GA

How to Pick a Vet Tech Program near Fort Oglethorpe Georgia

Fort Oglethorpe GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet tech college near Fort Oglethorpe GA may at first feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will furnish the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle assessing and comparing colleges so that you can make the correct selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. After they have identified some local colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant factors when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are considering before you make a final selection. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Role of a Vet Tech in Fort Oglethorpe GA

cat with cone after surgery in Fort Oglethorpe GA One of the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal determiner will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are a number of functions that they can carry out within the Fort Oglethorpe GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical vet practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, 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 performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training compared to 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 veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are involved in more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Fort Oglethorpe GA labs or research facilities as well.

Online Veterinary Technician Programs Offered in Fort Oglethorpe

student attending online vet tech school in Fort Oglethorpe GA An approach that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending vet school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can typically be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Fort Oglethorpe GA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for example for travel and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make certain that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech school may be the perfect choice for you.

Things to Ask Fort Oglethorpe GA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Fort Oglethorpe GA vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Fort Oglethorpe GA area as well as across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for many Fort Oglethorpe GA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and contacting 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, contact some Fort Oglethorpe GA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Fort Oglethorpe GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate could mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Fort Oglethorpe GA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure 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. Find out from the Fort Oglethorpe GA programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Fort Oglethorpe GA home, you need to make certain that the commuting 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, particularly if the college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you find out if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Fort Oglethorpe GA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. 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 Fort Oglethorpe GA?

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

Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia

Fort Oglethorpe is a city predominantly in Catoosa County with some portions in Walker County in the U.S. state of Georgia.[4] As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 9,263.[5] It is part of the Chattanooga, TN–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is home to Lakeview – Fort Oglethorpe High School.

The United States Army established a cavalry post at the site of Hargrave, Georgia, an unincorporated town situated next to the Chickamauga National Battlefield. The existing settlement was named for a Confederate soldier, William Hamilton Hargrave, who along with his wife Amelia Cecilia Strange-Hargrave owned most of the land in the area. The couple was well known in the 19th century to travellers heading to Ross's Landing on the Tennessee River from LaFayette, Georgia. William Hargrave and other landowners in the area were forced to sell their property to the Army[citation needed] to be used as a base for the 6th Cavalry. The Chickamauga Post established in 1902 by the U.S. Army was later named Fort Oglethorpe after James Oglethorpe, the founder of the Colony of Georgia. During World War I and World War II, the area served as a war-time induction and processing center, and also housed German prisoners of war.[6] Fort Oglethorpe was a major training center for the Women's Army Corps during World War II. The post was declared surplus in 1947 and sold to civilians, forming the nucleus for a city that was incorporated in 1949.[7][8]

Fort Oglethorpe is located in western Catoosa County and northeastern Walker County at 34°56′44″N 85°14′44″W / 34.94556°N 85.24556°W / 34.94556; -85.24556 (34.945683, -85.245653).[9] It is 9 miles (14 km) south of Chattanooga, Tennessee, by U.S. Route 27, which also leads south 18 miles (29 km) to LaFayette, Georgia. The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park takes up the southern two-thirds of the city's area.

Select the Ideal Vet Tech College near Fort Oglethorpe GA

Fort Oglethorpe GA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate veterinary technician program is a critical first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students looking into vet tech colleges must make their selection based on several key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in Fort Oglethorpe GA.