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

How to Select a Vet Tech Program near Screven Georgia

Screven GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Screven GA might initially seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and comparing programs so that you can make the best choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. When they have located some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech schools you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied responsibilities of vet techs and the training options available.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Screven GA

cat with cone after surgery in Screven GA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your decision might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are many duties that they can carry out within the Screven GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a community college or vocational school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more extensive training in contrast to assistants and generally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated functions, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years to complete. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Screven

student attending online vet tech school in Screven GA An option that may 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 over the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using several methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Screven GA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for traveling and study materials, can be lower compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just make certain that the online school 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 disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech program may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Screven GA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Screven GA vet tech schools By now you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Screven GA area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of 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 thorough review process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a precondition for employment for many Screven GA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Screven GA veterinary 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 suggest some programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Screven GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Screven GA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not well regarded 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 receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Screven GA schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Screven GA home, you must make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out 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 large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college 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 attending classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s imperative that you find out if the veterinary programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Screven GA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Screven GA?

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

Screven, Georgia

Screven is a city in Wayne County, Georgia, United States. The population was 702 at the 2000 census. Although it was a railroad town as early as 1847, it was not officially chartered until August 19, 1907.

In 1857 the Savannah, Albany and Gulf Railroad Company's line from Savannah, Georgia to Screven (then known as Station Seven) was completed when then trestle was built over the Altamaha River at Doctortown. Prior to this, the tracks connected the town to Thomasville, then a popular resort destination for wealthy Northerners and Europeans. The town was named for Dr. James Proctor Screven of the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad. After Dr. Screven's death in 1859, his son John Bryan Screven took over the railroad and continued its development. Both men served as mayor of Savannah. A section of the tracks just outside Screven on the Little Satilla is still known as the Abutment, the name it was given during the construction of the tracks.

The town was originally in the 4th land District of Appling County and moved into Wayne County when the county lines were redrawn after the American Civil War ended. The Confederate States Army had a training camp, Camp Harrison, in Screven for a short time in the Fall of 1860. The soldiers came by train to Screven.

Choose the Right Vet Tech College near Screven GA

Screven GA vet tech holding dog Picking the appropriate vet tech school is an important first step to beginning a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students looking into veterinary technician schools must make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This applies to online vet tech programs 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 choice. And by selecting the best program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Screven GA.