Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools La Fayette GA

How to Select a Veterinary Technician Program near La Fayette Georgia

La Fayette GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near La Fayette GA could initially seem like a daunting endeavor. After all, you have to search for and enroll in a school that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the ideal choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are near their residences. When they have located some area colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are important concerns when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be considered also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician schools you are considering before you make a final choice. We have presented several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the varied roles of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in La Fayette GA

cat with cone after surgery in La Fayette GA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to 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 direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of duties that they can perform within the La Fayette GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared with assistants and normally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in La Fayette GA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Veterinary Technician Online Programs Offered in La Fayette

student attending online vet tech school in La Fayette GA An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are provided by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The curriculum is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local La Fayette GA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary costs, for instance for travel and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished 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 right option for you.

Things to Ask La Fayette GA Veterinary Technician Schools

Questions to ask La Fayette GA vet tech schools At this point you should have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the La Fayette GA area and across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, 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 an extensive screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for a number of La Fayette GA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips 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 grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some La Fayette GA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with La Fayette GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the La Fayette GA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the La Fayette GA colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your La Fayette GA home, you must make sure 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 college is located in or near a large 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 especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near La Fayette GA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near La Fayette GA?

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

LaFayette, Georgia

LaFayette (/lʌˈfeɪɛt/ luh-FAY-et) is a city in, and the county seat of, Walker County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,702, which rose to 7,121 in 2010. It was founded as Chattooga.

LaFayette was founded as Chattooga, in 1835, as the seat of newly formed Walker County.[4] The county was named after the former United States senator Freeman Walker.[5] Chattooga was renamed LaFayette in 1836 after Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, the French aristocrat who fought in the American Revolutionary War.[6]

LaFayette is located at 34°42′35″N 85°17′2″W / 34.70972°N 85.28389°W / 34.70972; -85.28389 (34.709704, -85.283862).[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.1 square miles (21 km2), all land.

Select the Best Veterinary Technician Program near La Fayette GA

La Fayette GA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the ideal veterinary technician school is an important first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into veterinary technician schools need to make their determination based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually take on administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final selection. And by picking the ideal college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a vet tech in La Fayette GA.