Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Franklin Springs GA

How to Choose a Vet Tech School near Franklin Springs Georgia

Franklin Springs GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Franklin Springs GA might at first feel like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you must search for and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training so that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the right choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their residences. Once they have located some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when assessing vet technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the different duties of vet techs and the training alternatives available.

The Function of a Vet Tech in Franklin Springs GA

cat with cone after surgery in Franklin Springs GA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many functions that they can perform within the Franklin Springs GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to assistants and normally obtain a 2 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 basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. Therefore the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. A number may receive certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Franklin Springs GA laboratories or research facilities also.

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Franklin Springs

student attending online vet tech school in Franklin Springs GA An approach that may make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are offered over the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Franklin Springs GA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for travel and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is furnished for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Franklin Springs GA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Franklin Springs GA vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Franklin Springs GA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, 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 thorough screening process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Franklin Springs GA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating 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 violations regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Franklin Springs GA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Franklin Springs GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can 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 might signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Franklin Springs GA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Franklin Springs GA colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Franklin Springs GA home, you need to make sure 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. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking 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 finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Franklin Springs GA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Franklin Springs GA?

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

Franklin Springs, Georgia

Franklin Springs is located in southeastern Franklin County at 34°17′5″N 83°8′36″W / 34.28472°N 83.14333°W / 34.28472; -83.14333 (34.284598, -83.143402).[7] It is bordered to the east by Royston. U.S. Route 29 passes through the center of the city, leading east 2 miles (3 km) to the center of Royston and southwest 28 miles (45 km) to Athens. Carnesville, the Franklin County seat, is 9 miles (14 km) to the northwest via Georgia State Route 145.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 762 people, 208 households, and 133 families residing in the city. The population density was 363.6 people per square mile (140.1/km²). There were 227 housing units at an average density of 108.3/sq mi (41.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.90% White, 6.82% African American, 1.71% Asian, 0.92% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.

There were 208 households out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.93.

Select the Ideal Veterinary Technician Program near Franklin Springs GA

Franklin Springs GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech school is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for animals. Students looking into vet tech programs need to make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties 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 excellent reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech programs 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 best program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Franklin Springs GA.