Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Holly Springs GA

How to Choose a Vet Tech Program near Holly Springs Georgia

Holly Springs GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and helping pets by enrolling in a vet tech program near Holly Springs GA may initially seem like an overwhelming task. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a program that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you tackle assessing and contrasting schools so that you can make the right selection? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have located some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant considerations when evaluating veterinary technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the various duties of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Holly Springs GA

cat with cone after surgery in Holly Springs GA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the main determiner will probably be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are a number of tasks that they can perform within the Holly Springs GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the conventional vet practice, for example for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the duties and training requirements for each specialization.

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 techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive 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 sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and basically perform the same work functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually 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 work opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Holly Springs

student attending online vet tech school in Holly Springs GA An approach that might 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. Because the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Holly Springs GA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary costs, for example for traveling and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech school may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Holly Springs GA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Holly Springs GA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Holly Springs GA area and across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 an extensive screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary 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 requirement for employment for a number of Holly Springs GA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Holly Springs GA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Holly Springs GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Holly Springs GA veterinarian community and has a significant 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 placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Holly Springs GA colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students concerning 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? Of course, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Holly Springs GA home, you must make sure that the commuting time fits into 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, particularly if the college is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Holly Springs GA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Holly Springs GA?

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

Holly Springs, Georgia

Holly Springs is located south of the center of Cherokee County at 34°9′59″N 84°30′4″W / 34.16639°N 84.50111°W / 34.16639; -84.50111 (34.166478, -84.501016).[5] It is bordered by Canton, the county seat, to the north, and by Woodstock to the south. Interstate 575 passes through the city, with access from exits 11 and 14. Downtown Atlanta is 36 miles (58 km) to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Holly Springs has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17.3 km2), of which 6.6 square miles (17.0 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km2), or 1.57%, is water.[4]

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 3,195 people, 1,136 households, and 892 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,008.5 people per square mile (389.1/km²). There were 1,173 housing units at an average density of 370.3 per square mile (142.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.80% White, 1.16% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.44% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.82% of the population.

Enroll in the Ideal Veterinary Technician School near Holly Springs GA

Holly Springs GA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal vet tech school is a critical first step to starting a gratifying career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Future students looking into vet tech schools must make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the right program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Holly Springs GA.