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

How to Select a Vet Tech School near Lakemont Georgia

Lakemont GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician college near Lakemont GA may initially seem like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a program that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the correct choice? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have found some local schools, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when comparing vet technician programs, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your evaluations. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Lakemont GA

cat with cone after surgery in Lakemont GA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many tasks that they can perform within the Lakemont GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more extensive training compared with assistants and usually acquire a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Veterinary Technician Online Schools Offered in Lakemont

student attending online vet tech school in Lakemont GA An approach that may make sense for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Lakemont GA veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, such as for commuting and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online veterinary technician program may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Lakemont GA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Lakemont GA vet tech schools By now you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Lakemont GA area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly regarded 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 get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for many Lakemont GA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online 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 targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Lakemont GA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Lakemont GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate may signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Lakemont GA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Lakemont GA schools you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously 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 Lakemont GA home, you must make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate 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. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lakemont GA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Lakemont GA?

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

Wiccan views of divinity

Wiccan views of divinity are generally theistic, and revolve around a Goddess and a Horned God, thereby being generally dualistic. In traditional Wicca, as expressed in the writings of Gerald Gardner and Doreen Valiente, the emphasis is on the theme of divine gender polarity, and the God and Goddess are regarded as equal and opposite divine cosmic forces. In some newer forms of Wicca, such as feminist or Dianic Wicca, the Goddess is given primacy or even exclusivity. In some forms of Traditional Witchcraft that share a similar duotheistic theology, the Horned God is given precedence over the Goddess.[1]

Some Wiccans are polytheists, believing in many different deities taken from various Pagan pantheons, while others would believe that, in the words of Dion Fortune, "all the Goddesses are one Goddess, and all the Gods one God". Some Wiccans are both duotheistic and polytheistic, in that they honor diverse pagan deities while reserving their worship for the Wiccan Goddess and Horned God, whom they regard as the supreme deities. (This approach is not dissimilar to ancient pagan pantheons where one divine couple, a god and goddess, were seen as the supreme deities of an entire pantheon.) Some see divinity as having a real, external existence; others see the Goddesses and Gods as archetypes or thoughtforms within the collective consciousness.

According to several 20th century witches, most notably Gerald Gardner, the "father of Wicca", the witches' God and Goddess are the ancient gods of the British Isles: a Horned God of hunting, death and magic who rules over an after-world paradise (often referred to as the Summerland), and a goddess, the Great Mother (who is simultaneously the Eternal Virgin and the Primordial Enchantress), who gives regeneration and rebirth to souls of the dead and love to the living.[2] The Goddess is especially connected to the Moon and stars and the sea, while the Horned God is connected to the Sun and the forests. Gardner explains that these are the tribal gods of the witches, just as the Egyptians had their tribal gods Isis and Osiris and the Jews had Elohim; he also states that a being higher than any of these tribal gods is recognised by the witches as Prime Mover, but remains unknowable, and is of little concern to them.[3]

Select the Best Vet Tech School near Lakemont GA

Lakemont GA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the appropriate vet tech college is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Students considering vet tech colleges need to make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animals as 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 profession. This applies to vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions included 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 right college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Lakemont GA.