Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Peachtree City GA

How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Peachtree City Georgia

Peachtree City GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Peachtree City GA may initially seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to find and enroll in a school that will deliver the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the right choice? Many aspiring students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are near their homes. Once they have located some area schools, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant concerns when assessing vet tech programs, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be considered also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have presented several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different duties of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Function of a Veterinary Technician in Peachtree City GA

cat with cone after surgery in Peachtree City GA Among the first decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the primary determiner will most likely be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous jobs that they can perform within the Peachtree City GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in the majority of instances will have completed 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 vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more complex undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and typically obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more complicated functions, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and basically perform the same job functions. They are required to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years. 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 job opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Peachtree City

student attending online vet tech school in Peachtree City GA An approach that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to veterinary school is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered through the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Peachtree City GA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for travel and study materials, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain that the program that you enroll in 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 comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician program may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Peachtree City GA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Peachtree City GA vet tech schools By now you should have determined which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Peachtree City GA area and across the USA, you must ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Peachtree City GA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with 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 tip, call some Peachtree City GA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Peachtree City GA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinarian 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 school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate might signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Peachtree City GA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not highly 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 probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Peachtree City GA programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Peachtree City GA home, you must make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or close by 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 higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the vet schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Peachtree City GA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Peachtree City GA?

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

Peachtree City, Georgia

Peachtree City is located in western Fayette County in the southern Atlanta metro area. It is bordered to the west by Coweta County and to the north by the city of Tyrone. It is crossed by Georgia State Route 74, Georgia State Route 34, and Georgia State Route 54. SR 54 leads east 10 miles (16 km) to Fayetteville, the county seat, and southwest 17 miles (27 km) to Luthersville. Newnan is 12 miles (19 km) to the west via SR 54 and SR 34. SR 74, the Joel Cowan Parkway, runs through the west side of Peachtree City, leading north 6 miles (10 km) to Tyrone and 11 miles (18 km) to Interstate 85 near Fairburn. Downtown Atlanta is 31 miles (50 km) to the north via SR 74 and I-85.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Peachtree City has a total area of 25.4 square miles (65.9 km2), of which 24.6 square miles (63.6 km2) is land and 0.93 square miles (2.4 km2), or 3.57%, is water.[2] The city is in the watershed of Line Creek, which forms the western city boundary and county line, and is a south-flowing tributary of the Flint River.

Peachtree City has three lakes. Lake Kedron to the north is a reservoir that supplies Lake Peachtree to the south via Flat Creek. Lake Kedron is owned by the Fayette County Authority, and is managed so as to keep Lake Peachtree full whenever there is a lack of rain and still allow for recreational use of the lake during droughts. Lake Kedron is not afforded any recreational use except for fishing. Lake McIntosh, the newest lake, close to Planterra, has now reached full pool.[5]

Select the Best Vet Tech Program near Peachtree City GA

Peachtree City GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal vet tech program is an important first step to beginning a gratifying career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician colleges must make their selection based on multiple key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the right college, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Peachtree City GA.